asked the Minister for Education if he will state the present position regarding the proposal for the erection of national schools at Ballincollig, Kilmurry and Knockamanna (Minane Bridge), County Cork, and when building will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of County Cork Schools.
The Department has sanctioned a grant towards the cost of the erection of new schools to replace the present Ballincollig Boys' and Girls' National Schools, County Cork, and the arrangements for the erection of the new buildings are in the hands of the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand from the commissioners that they hope to have in the near future the working drawings, specification and bills of quantities completed and to be in a position to invite tenders. It will be necessary, however, to have the site vested in trustees by an official lease before the commissioners can proceed to invite tenders. This matter is being attended to and is not expected to cause any delay.
In the case of Kilmurry National School, certain difficulties arose as regards the acquisition of a suitable site and the type of school to be erected. These difficulties have been overcome and the Department has now received an estimate of the cost of the new school from the Commissioners of Public Works. Subject to agreement with the manager as to the local contribution to be provided towards the cost, and to the production of evidence of title which will enable the site to be vested in the trustees, the Department will be in a position to sanction a grant for the erection of the new school.
With regard to the Knockamanna National School, the manager has offered a suitable site for a new school and as soon as the local contribution to be provided has been determined and satisfactory evidence of title to the site has been furnished, a grant towards the cost of the new school will be made.
Considering that the building of these schools has been simply at the proposal stage for many years past, may I take it that the Minister will do all he possibly can to have their erection expedited?
Yes. Circumstances over which nobody had any control operated to delay the consideration of some of these matters that are of very old standing—at least some of them. The position is now so clear that I do not think there will be any difficulty and it will be possible to proceed in the normal way once certain points are settled, particularly with regard to the sites and the vesting of the sites in the trustees.