asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that new primary schools are erected without notice to, or the consent of, the local town planning authority and if he will arrange in future that the consent of such authority be obtained before erection.
Questions— Written Answers. - New Schools.
While it has not hitherto been the general practice to obtain the consent of the local authority for schemes for the erection of new national schools, arrangements are being made that, in future, the managers will be asked to submit the plans of new schools to the respective local authorities for approval.
asked the Minister for Education whether, in the erection of new primary schools which are not being connected to an existing public water main and public sewer, the consent of the respective local authority dealing with sanitary services is first obtained; and, if not, whether he will so arrange in the future.
In the cases of new national schools which are not to be connected to public water mains and public sewers, the sanitation provided is of either of two types, viz., waterclosets, with a septic tank system of sewage disposal, or dry latrines. It is the policy of the Department to provide water-flushed sanitation for all new schools where the circumstances permit, i.e., where a suitable water supply for flushing purposes is available or can be made available and where it is feasible to connect the closets to a public sewer or, failing this, to provide a septic tank system of drainage. If water closets cannot be installed there is no option but to provide dry latrines.
In every case in which it is intended to provide a septic tank system the manager is required to obtain the approval of the county medical officer for the proposed scheme. The approval of the county medical officer has not hitherto been sought in cases where dry latrines are being provided. As I have stated in my reply to the Deputy's other question, the managers will be asked, in future, to submit plans for new schools to the respective local authorities for approval.