17 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the cuts to the capital budget for education which will see a 9% cut for primary schools and a 20% cut for post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47677/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, the capital allocation for my Department for 2011 is €491m. This level of provision, at a time of budgetary constraint, reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring that urgently needed capital projects will receive priority.

Current market conditions mean that my Department will continue to achieve excellent value for money in relation to construction costs and land prices. This will allow my Department to carry out a major programme of capital works in 2011 and beyond in order to meet the demands for additional school accommodation arising due to recent demographic trends and demand for continued upgrading of the existing stock of buildings in the education sector.