Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to accelerate the school building programme in line with pressing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is delivering on its commitment to provide modern facilities in schools and has progressively increased funding in recent years with an aggregate total of almost €2 billion since 1998, the largest investment programme in the history of the State. My Department has never underestimated the scale of the task and the level of capital funding and other resources required to rectify decades of under investment in school infrastructure. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.
