Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to take to upgrade primary schools in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18726/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I draw the Deputy's attention to the series of announcements I have made so far this year as part of the 2005-2009 school building and modernisation programme. These announcements, which were published in county order, outline schools with major building projects allowed to move to tender and construction, schools invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding, details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme, schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools authorised to commence architectural planning.

Applications for capital works from schools in County Leitrim that are not included in these announcements are being assessed and considered for inclusion in further announcements as part of the 2005-2009 school building and modernisation programme. In order to assist primary school authorities to complete general upkeep and maintenance, an annual grant is paid to schools under the grant scheme for minor works, which is also known as the devolved grant. The level of grant paid amounts to €3,809 per school plus €12.70 per pupil.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to take to upgrade secondary schools in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18727/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I draw the Deputy's attention to the series of announcements I have made this year as part of the 2005-2009 school building and modernisation programme. These announcements, which were published in county order, outline schools with major building projects allowed to move to tender and construction, schools invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding, details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme, schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools authorised to commence architectural planning. Applications for capital works from schools in County Leitrim that are not included in these announcements are being assessed and considered for inclusion in further announcements as part of the 2005-2009 school building and modernisation programme.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to upgrade science laboratory facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18728/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Capital funding is provided from the annual second level capital allocation for the refurbishment of science laboratories undertaken as part of an overall refurbishment programme of a second level school, for the upgrading of science facilities exclusively or by provision of new facilities in the case of new or extended schools. Additionally, I have provided for class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the sciences. My Department spent in excess of €13 million in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised junior science syllabus and schools received a basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified as needing new or refurbished science laboratories as a result of a 1998 national survey received funding. Funding is also available this year to schools that have yet to apply for the basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory and for other specified equipment to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Schools have also received funding under the summer works scheme in 2004 and 2005 to refurbish science laboratories.