asked the Minister for Education if he will state the present position regarding the proposal to erect a new school at Ballagh, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Schools.
Tenders for the erection of the proposed new Ballagh National School have been received and are at present being examined by the Commissioners of Public Works. A contract for the erection of the school will be placed as soon as possible.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the erection of a new national school at Milford, County Donegal, was taken out of the priority list and a new school at Rathmullen, County Donegal, substituted therefor and, further, if he will state when it is proposed to proceed with the erection of the new school at Milford.
asked the Minister for Education whether, in view of the deplorable condition of Milford school, he will state what steps are being taken by his Department to have repairs carried out to the present building or a new school constructed.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
A grant was sanctioned by the Department in December, 1950, towards the cost of carrying out a scheme for the enlargement and improvement of Milford National School, County Donegal. The scheme included the provision of new water-closets, but the Commissioners of Public Works, who make the arrangements for the execution of the works in such cases, could not prepare the working drawings and specification until there was definite information that the local authority would extend the public sewer to the school site.
While there is still no definite information available in regard to the extension of the public sewer, it is now understood that the local authority proposes to proceed with the work.
The question has recently been raised, however, as to whether, in view of a probable increase in the attendance, as a result of the erection of new houses in the district, it might not be preferable to build a new school on a new site, instead of carrying out the scheme for the enlargement and improvement of the existing school. The Department is having this question examined and a decision in the matter will be arrived at as soon as possible.
I would like to add, in reply to Deputy O'Donnell, that the information which I have now given shows that there could have been no question of taking the case of a new school at Milford out of the priority list.