asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the discussion at a recent meeting of North Tipperary County Council relative to the provision of a pump for the new school at Ballinahinch. Newport, County Tipperary, at which it was maintained by the county manager and the county medical officer of health that the responsibility for erecting such a pump lay with his Department; and if he will state whether such is the position and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply for Schools.
Pádraig Ó Cuinneáin
My attention has been drawn to the discussion at a recent meeting of North Tipperary County Council relative to the provision of a pump for the new school at Ballinahinch, Newport, County Tipperary, at which it was maintained by the county manager and the county medical officer of health that the responsibility for erecting such a pump lay with my Department.
The rules and regulations for national schools provide inter alia, that in the case of vested national schools grants may be made by my Department for sinking wells and erecting pumps subject to the condition that an adequate supply of drinking water can be provided at a reasonable cost. Such grants may, however, be allowed only when the wells and pumps are needed for the sole use (or almost entirely for the sole use) of the schools.
I am advised that if a water supply is needed for the people of the district as well as for a school the duty of providing a water supply devolves upon the local authority. I understand that the provision of a pump in the vicinity of Ballinahinch National School would benefit six households comprising 24 people in additions to the school. Accordingly, responsibility for the provision of a water supply in this instance would appear to rest with the local authority.
asked the Minister for Education if he has received an application for a grant for the extension of a water supply to the schools at Ferbane, County Offaly, and what action, if any, he has taken or proposes taking concerning the application.
The Offaly County Council inquired some time ago as to what extent my Department would be prepared to contribute towards the cost of extending the public water supply to Ferbane Boys' National School, County Offaly. In reply the county council was informed that the Department would not be warranted under its regulations in allowing a grant towards the cost of any works which lie outside a national school site and that, accordingly, it was regretted that a grant could not be allowed towards the cost of extending the public water supply to Ferbane Boys' National School.