869 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the provision of a prefab for Kilbrien national school, Kilbrien, Ballinamult, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/02]

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation 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 the 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 project at Kilbrien national school, Kilbrien, Ballinamult, County Waterford is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.

870 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been received by his Department; if so, the date this was received; if approval for this extension has been given; the date this was given; if architectural plans for this extension have been approved by his Department; the date of this approval; the next stage for this project; and the estimated timeframe for completion. [9271/02]

873 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9274/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 873 together.

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation 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 the 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.

The school to which the Deputy refers is being refurbished and extended as part of the Government's programme and is currently in architectural planning. The project will continue to the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders as soon as possible under the expanded building programme.

871 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for a new school (details supplied) was received by his Department; if so, the date this was received; if approval was given for this new school; the date of that approval; if architectural plans have been approved by his Department for this school; the date of this approval; if this project is now ready to proceed to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9272/02]

872 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate facilities for teachers and students in a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the reason three classrooms of 25 square metres each must still be used when the minimum requirement as set down by his Department is 30 square metres; the reason there is a shortage of sanitary facilities; the reason there is no space to implement the IT programme; the reason there is a complete lack of storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9273/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 871 and 872 together.