Jim Higgins
Ceist:703 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in approving the new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo which was amalgamated recently. [11347/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Due to the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity. My Department expects to be in a position during this year to give detailed consideration to the application for improved accommo dation at the school referred to by the Deputy as part of the expanded building programme.