140 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the assigning of a design team for Tavneena national school, Charlestown, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26076/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Tavneena 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 or 470.4 million. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding has enabled my Department to undertake a record number of building projects. 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.

141 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Education and Science when construction work will begin at Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Íosagáin, Bóthar Stigh Lorgan, Baile Átha Cliath; if he will expedite the starting date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28332/01]

Stage 6, tender action and report, was submitted to my Department's building unit in October. At present the documentation is being examined by my Department's staff.

Should this submission be deemed satisfactory following this examination and a decision is made to authorise the school authorities to accept a tender the actual date for the commencement of construction will be a matter for the school authorities in conjunction with the successful contractor.

142 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the flooding problems at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if so, his plans to rectify the problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28333/01]

My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at the school in question.

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 or 470.4 million. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding has 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 the proposed project at the school referred to by the Deputy, will be taken, as in previous years, in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes at the conclusion of the forthcoming budgetary process.

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself with progress in the school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28334/01]

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. This is almost four times the allocation made by the previous Government in 1997. This level of funding has 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.