705 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will provide funding and allow plans to go to tender for the upgrading and extension of Knockskeagh national school, Clonakilty, County Cork. [11349/02]

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 accommodation 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 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 building project for Knockskeagh national school, Clonakilty, County Cork, is 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.

706 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the building section in his Department have arranged for the preparation of tender documents and the invitation of tenders for the expanded building programme regarding the extension at Camross national school, County Laois. [11372/02]

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 accommodation 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 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. Camross national school, County Laois, is being refurbished-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.