On a matter of major domestic concern, is the Taoiseach aware that today thousands of pupils, teachers and parents in hundreds of locations throughout this country are engaging in protest about the absolutely abysmal state of school buildings? This is being organised under the banner of Tuismitheoirí agus Teagascóirí le Chéile. Is the Taoiseach aware there are schools in this jurisdiction which have leaking roofs, rotting walls, windows which do not close, rat infestation, little or no heating, no proper security, no proper cleaning or maintenance and a host of other difficulties? This a damning indictment of the failure of this Government and the previous one to address these needs. Is the Taoiseach aware that each day children are forced to learn and teachers are forced to teach in these conditions?

Is the Taoiseach aware that in the totally inadequate schools building programme of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Dempsey, 289 primary and 85 secondary schools are at the architectural planning stage but have received no indication, as they are locked into that categorisation, as to whether they will be allowed to move forward in the current year or, indeed, in future years? They have no idea when their schools will be addressed in a serious way which will allow them to move towards the commencement of long overdue and much needed works. Does the Taoiseach understand the depth of public anger throughout this jurisdiction at the failure to address the need to provide an—

The Deputy's two minutes have concluded.

—adequate, safe and comfortable teaching environment for our teachers and pupils, the leaders of our society in the future?

The full list of the building programme was produced by the Minister for Education and Science in January. At that stage I was asked questions in the House and I said the primary schools building programme in 1997 amounted to €27 million and we were only able to deal with about ten or 12 significant projects. Although slightly less than last year, this year the school buildings programme amounts to €342.9 million. This year the programme will deliver 140 large-scale projects at primary and post-primary levels, which is a significant number. Approximately 430 primary and post-primary schools will, in addition, benefit in some way from the capital programme, namely, for smaller works rather than total replacements.

An innovative feature of this year's programme is the introduction of a devolved building initiative for small rural primary schools. Many schools will benefit under that programme and the Minister hopes to extend it next year. The budget allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects. I know many schools will remain to be dealt with but the Deputy will see we are making enormous changes compared to what we were able to do in the past. Any fair examination would acknowledge that.

The Department of Education and Science is in negotiation with the Department of Finance to secure a five year funding envelope to address the historical infrastructure deficit at primary and post-primary levels. That would mean the Minister would be able to better indicate to the various schools where we are going in terms of those programmes. It is a significant development plan. Clearly it is not possible to wipe out in the short-term the cumulative deficit of generations, but anyone in the House can see that we are making enormous inroads into that by providing young people with modern, updated and comfortable schools with proper facilities. We will continue to do this.

The Taoiseach invited us to exercise a fair examination, almost in the confident expectation that such an examination would underscore the Government's claim of addressing the school building programme needs. What we are asking for is a fair examination of the schools that are not being addressed.

Does the Taoiseach for one moment believe that the many thousands of pupils and teachers who are engaged in protest today throughout the 42 constituencies in this jurisdiction do so on the basis of the fair examination he invites or on the basis of the fair examination that must be undertaken of the reality in which they must work and learn? I assure the Taoiseach that it merits his personal examination and is something he should prioritise within the Cabinet. He should instruct the Minister for Education and Science—

Deputy, your minute has concluded.

—to address the absolute neglect of so many schools throughout the country. If the Taoiseach has the time to spare, I will bring him through my constituency to show him education facilities at primary and secondary level which are an absolute disgrace.

The Deputy's time is concluded.

This is reflected throughout the country.

We have spent more than €1 billion on schools over the past five years and will continue to do so. This year, a more difficult one, we will spend €340 million. The Minister has set out the programme. It is a long list of updating, upgrading and repairing. This year 140 major schools and 430 primary and post-primary schools as well as rural schools will be addressed. It is an achievement in any one year, especially a difficult year, to target 600 schools. This is a significant campaign to try to address our schools' problems and we will continue to do that. I know that anyone in a school that is not up to the high standards would like to see its problems addressed sooner rather than later. As I said, the Minister is involved in a five year programme. Any fair analysis would see that we are making enormous progress—

That is not the case.

It is.

Deputy Ó Caoláin asked his supplementary question.

—into what is a difficult area, and that is a fact.