1116 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval will be given for a permanent structure at Drangan National School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1221/02]

My Department's building unit has approved the provision of temporary accommodation to cater for an additional teacher at Drangan Senior School. It is not possible to say at this stage when permanent accommodation will be provided.

1117 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application for an extension by Cranford National School, Cranford, Gorey, County Wexford; and the stage the application has reached. [1222/02]

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is 153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. Because of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

A building project at Cranford National School is currently in architectural planning as part of the Government's programme. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders, as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.