Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am glad the Senator has given me the opportunity to outline the Department of Education and Science's current position regarding the allocation of funding for school building projects.

The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The programme is designed to give the maximum amount of information to managers, boards of management, principals, parents and students. The criteria used for selecting projects have also been published for the first time.

This year's building programme amounts 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. In addition, over 400 schools will benefit from the capital programme and all primary schools benefit directly from the devolved grants scheme for minor works.

The Department of Education and Science has already informed the board of management of Bennekerry national school that the budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects, including applications in hand for funding, that could not be included in this year's programme. The management authorities at individual schools should continue to use funds from their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety matters.

I thank the Senator for giving the opportunity of outlining the current position to the House.