1168 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed amalgamation of the two national schools in Ballybunion, County Kerry; and when the project will commence. [1522/02]

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.

Due to 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 for the two national schools in Ballybunion is part of the Government's programme. This project will proceed to architectural planning as soon as it is possible to do so, under the expanded building programme.