E387m to be divided in school building programme

THOUSANDS of families will be hoping Education Minister Noel Dempsey gives an early Christmas present to their children’s school when the 2004 building programme is announced today.

The E387 million Mr Dempsey has to spend is E40 million up on this year’s allocation.

Of 3,300 primary schools, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) says more than 400 are in urgent need of replacement or complete refurbishment.