asked the Minister for Education whether he has recently received any representations regarding the difficulty of raising money for the repair of primary school buildings; whether he has made any representations to the Minister for Finance for the allocation to that purpose of part of the sum voted for the relief of unemployment; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Primary Schools.
Representations have not been received by me recently with regard to the difficulty of raising money for the repair of schools. The responsibility for the repair and maintenance of school buildings devolves upon the managers and local parties, and grants for this purpose are not normally made by my Department.
In a few instances appeals have just been made by managers that money from the Vote for the relief of unemployment might be used in connection with building or the reconstruction of schools. Where the school plot is vested grants are made for this purpose from State Funds specifically allocated for the service, and, in the regulations governing their award, special provision is included for cases in necessitous districts.
I have made no representations of the kind suggested to the Minister for Finance. It does not seem to me proper that the specifically "local" contribution should be paid out of central funds.
Will the Deputy tell the Minister and the House what percentage of the estimated cost of the repair of primary schools goes in materials and what percentage in labour as compared with other relief schemes that have been carried on?
Supplementary questions of that sort must not be addressed to a Deputy.