Vol. 562 No. 3
36 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason so few schools were included in the school building programme for 2003, published on 22 January 2003, especially having regard to the extensive promises made to schools and parent groups prior to the general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5832/03]
The capital allocation for the schools building programme in 2003 amounts to €342.9 million which is four times the amount allocated in 1997. The programme will deliver over 140 large-scale projects at primary and post-primary level. In addition, over 400 schools will benefit in some way from the capital programme. Primary schools will also benefit directly from the grant scheme for minor works.
The Government is determined to address the historical deficit in education infrastructure. However, it is clearly not possible to wipe out, in the lifetime of one Government, the cumulative deficit of generations and to deal with emerging needs at the same time.
