860 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department has not dealt with stage 4-5 Documents submitted on 17 May 2001, by St. Mary's CBS, Mullingar, in relation to their extension; if he will authorise the school authorities to proceed to stage 6 and replace the flat roofs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26910/01]

The building unit of my Department expects to finish its review of the stage 4-5 documents in relation to the proposed extension project at St. Mary's CBS, Mullingar, County Westmeath shortly.

861 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will expedite plans for the provision of car parking facilities at Gainstown national school, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26911/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of safety works at Gainstown national school. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million – 470.4 million – which is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of individual projects, including Gainstown national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.

862 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new national school at Lumcloon, Cloghan, County Offaly; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present school is substandard and that new school is urgently required; and the exact stage in regard to the provision of this new school. [26913/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Lumcloon national school. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by the Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million – 470.4 million – which is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of individual projects, including Lumcloon national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.

863 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is expected that the proposed building for the College of Tourism and Catering in Cork Institute of Technology will be brought to the tender stage. [26914/01]

The building will proceed to tender stage once the design team has completed the first five stages of architectural planning. The design team is currently finalising stage 4 documentation. Officials in my Department are very anxious that this project proceed as quickly as possible and are in regular contact with the institute with regard to the progression of this project.

864 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the frustration felt by the board of management, teaching staff, pupils and parents of Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan, at delays in providing a school extension; if he will authorise tenders to be invited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/01]

My Department's post primary building unit has completed its examination of the stage 4-5, detail design-bill of quantities for the extension project at Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan, County

866 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed building project at Butlersbridge central national school, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26917/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Butlersbridge central national school. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million – 470.4 million – which is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of individual projects, including Butlersbridge central national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.

867 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the future development of Ballygowan national school, Mallow, County Cork; if the required extension and alterations will be sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Ballygowan national school. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation in the current year is £370.5 million – 470.4 million – which is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects, and it is my intention to continue this rate of progress in overcoming the deficit arising from many past years and in meeting the needs of the present day. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to con struction of individual projects, including Ballygowan national school, will be taken as in previous years in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in the forthcoming Estimates.