Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

At the outset I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also the position of St. Angela's College, Patrick's Hill, Cork city.

Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of underinvestment in this area, as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth. Nonetheless, since taking office this Government has demonstrated a focused determination to improve the condition of our school buildings and ensure appropriate facilities are in place to enable the implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum.

As evidence of this commitment, over €540 million will be spent on school building and modernisation projects in the current year on primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. Since 1997, a total of €3 billion has been invested in school buildings and this has delivered more than 7,800 school building projects. This further investment of over €540 million is building on these achievements and is focused in particular on the provision of school accommodation in areas where the population is growing at a rapid rate.

As further evidence of our commitment, NDP funding of €4.5 billion will be invested in schools over the coming years. The Deputy will agree this record level of investment is a positive testament to the high priority the Government attaches——

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