Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which received funding in 2008 and to date in 2009 in respect of the construction or refurbishment of a science laboratory; the proportion of his Department's capital budget which has been spent on such science facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in receipt of funding in respect of science facilities in 2008 and 2009 which also received a grant for science equipment or science materials; the amount of funding received by the schools involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25925/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 509: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding available to schools from his Department for the purchase of science equipment and materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25926/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 507 to 509, inclusive, together.

As part of the multi-annual school building programme, the Government has invested heavily in the modernisation of school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of all major projects at post-primary level. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school building project or as a dedicated investment to facilitate the teaching of science. Such projects would also include the provision of furniture and equipment.

My Department also spent in excess of €13m in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised Junior Science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additionally funding has been provided for the provision of class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the Sciences as the need arises.

My Department has funded the upgrading of science facilities in over 60 schools under the Summer Works and Emergency Works Schemes in recent years. In addition, Twenty one schools have received funding approval under the Summer Works Schemes 2009 and a further 3 schools under the Emergency Works Scheme in 2008 and 2009 to refurbish science laboratories on a devolved basis.

In total my Department invested €155.278m in 2008 and expects to spend €191.062m in 2009 on post-primary school infrastructure. Expenditure on science laboratories and science equipment in schools will continue to arise for consideration in the context of the funding available for my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.