The 2003 school building programme was published on 22 January 2003 and amounted to €342.9 million – four times the amount allocated in 1997. The 2003 programme will deliver over 140 large-scale projects at primary and post-primary level across the country including schools in County Kildare. In addition, several hundred schools will benefit in some way from the capital programme and all primary schools benefit directly from the devolved grants scheme for minor works.
An innovative feature of this year's programme is the introduction of a devolved building initiative for small rural primary schools. Some 20 school communities will benefit from this pilot initiative. The feedback from schools on this initiative is very positive and most of the 20 schools will have commenced construction works before the end of this year. I hope to build on this initiative in future years.
The cost of the 2003 building programme, published on my Department's website, provides details of the level of commitments to be met in 2003 and the estimated amount available for new projects.
I am seeking a multi-annual capital funding envelope for the next four to five years in the context of this year's estimates process. The provision of such an envelope for the school building programme will enable my Department to provide greater clarity for all education partners and other interested parties concerning the progress of projects within the programme.
The Government remains committed to continuing the work that it has started and to consolidate the substantial progress that has already been made in order to ensure that the needs of schools throughout the country are met over time. The process of investment in educational infrastructure begun by the previous Government will be continued as outlined in the agreed programme for Government.