asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that there are 800 children being deprived of education in North Crumlin, due to the fact that there is insufficient school accommodation in their district; and if he will state the cause of the failure to sanction the proposals of the manager, who has provided and paid for a suitable site in the district; if further, pending the building of the new schools, which will take two years to complete, he will sanction the resumption of the special bus service to the city schools, which have ample accommodation, thus providing much-needed employment for a number of teachers who are at present unemployed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Accommodation in Dublin.
As Indicated in my reply to a question on this subject by Deputy Doyle yesterday the information before my Department shows that there is available accommodation in schools in the neighbourhood for children between six and 14 years of age who are not attending school at present. I am not prepared to arrange for bus transport in the circumstances.
My Department has acted in cooperation with the manager in the matter of the provision of new schools. Their construction is being undertaken by the Commissioners of Public Works, who have invited tenders for the work.
Mr. Byrne
Are we to understand that proposals submitted for the building of the new schools have been passed?
I think the Minister gave full information on the subject yesterday.
Has Very Rev. Canon Sheehan been notified of the fact that the proposals have been passed? As the proposed site has been presented by him, he is entitled to some consideration, and should be informed if the plans have been passed. Can the Minister say if they have been passed?
I am afraid that is another question.
Mr. Byrne
I think it is a question that requires an answer. If Very Rev. Canon Sheehan was told that the plans were passed, he should know when the building of the schools will be started. It is a matter of great importance to the parish.
Will the Minister expedite the building of these schools? I wish to point out that in Inchicore, which is convenient to the North Crumlin area, where the complaints arise, all the schools are overcrowded, and there are hundreds of children running about the streets day after day, doing things that are of no advantage to themselves or to the citizens. As it is a source of serious complaint the matter should receive sympathetic consideration from the Department.
It may be taken as certain that the Minister will do every thing possible to expedite the building of these schools. As is explained in the answer, tenders have been invited for the work.
Am I to understand that the plans submitted by Very Rev. Canon Sheehan have been passed?
I do not know.
Mr. Byrne
You should know.
The Deputy should have asked that in his question.