Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the progress being made by the Department of Education and Science under the school building and modernisation programme and to outline the position on capital funding applications from scoil náisiúnta Molaise, Old Leighlin, County Carlow.

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

This Government has invested in the largest school building programme in the history of the State. Between 1998 and the end of 2004, almost €2 billion was invested in school buildings, which represents a fivefold increase in capital allocations. In the region of 7,500 large and small projects were completed in schools in this period, including 130 brand new schools and 510 large scale refurbishments and extensions. To build on this extensive progress, in 2006 more than €491 million will be spent on school building projects, compared to just €92 million in 1997. The 2006 allocation in its own right is an increase of more than 9% in real terms on the 2005 allocation.

At the end of last year, the Department outlined its spending plans for primary and post-primary schools for 2006. With €491 million to be spent on school buildings, more than 1,300 projects are active in schools all over the country. This significant investment will allow the Department to continue to progress its major programme of school building and modernisation which includes improving equipment needed for new technologies and ICT.

With regard to scoil náisiúnta Molaise, Old Leighlin, the Department is in receipt of two applications for capital funding, one under the permanent accommodation scheme for 2007 and one under the small schools scheme for 2007. The closing date for receipt of applications for both of these devolved funding schemes was 27 October 2006. The Department is now in the process of assessing the applications of all schools that applied under these schemes according to the published prioritisation criteria. A list of successful schools will be published when the assessment process has been completed.

I thank the Senator once again for raising this issue and affording me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the position for the school's applications to the Department of Education and Science for capital funding and where all applications under the schemes concerned stand.