asked the Minister for Education if he will state whether Ballintubber National School, County Roscommon, is included in the list of 350 new schools mentioned in his speech on the Education Estimates; whether he will state the number of years that have elapsed since officials of the Department (or its predecessors) first recommended that the present building should be replaced, and if he will state what steps are at present being taken to have a new school erected there.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALLINTUBBER NATIONAL SCHOOL.
The school referred to is included in the list of new schools that are necessary. In 1912 grants were sanctioned by the former Administration for the erection of a new schoolhouse to accommodate 130 children and to replace the existing Ballintubber Boys' and Girls' National Schools, which are old and unsuitable for school use. The necessary lease of the site was completed and the then manager was authorised to proceed with the erection of the building. He was unable, however, to obtain the services of a suitable contractor, and the erection of the schoolhouse was postponed in consequence of this and of the general restrictions on school buildings which were imposed during the European War. The site is still available, so far as this Department is aware, and the necessary plans and specifications for the new schoolhouse were sent to the present manager by the Board of Works on 8th May, 1926, and he was requested to invite tenders for the erection of the building. Communications have since been addressed to the manager in the matter, but up to the present I am not in a position to state that tenders for the work have been obtained.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Is the Minister in a position to say whether his Department is prepared to take any action in a case of this kind when a manager is either unable or unwilling to act?
I think the recent delay is undoubtedly due to the illness of the manager—so I am informed—but I certainly shall follow up the case to see that as quickly as possible proper accommodation is provided.