asked the Minister for Education if he will state the present position regarding the proposed new boys' and girls' national school at Abbeyside, Dungarvan, and when work is likely to commence; further, if, in view of the acute overcrowding in the present school, he will ensure that the work is put in hands in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dungarvan National School.
My Department has sanctioned a grant towards the cost of the erection of new schools to replace the present Abbeyside boys' and girls' national schools, Dungarvan.
It is now a matter for the Commissioners of Public Works to prepare working drawings and a specification, to have bills of quantities taken out and to arrange for the invitation of tenders and the placing of a contract for the execution of the scheme.
Although I am not in a position to state when work on the erection of the new schools is likely to commence, there will be no avoidable delay in completing the arrangements which I have mentioned.
Is the Minister aware that the Department concerned has indicated that it will not be able to start work within the next year and very likely two years? Would that be considered dealing with the matter speedily?
A certain amount of work has to be done. In view of the fact that the preliminaries are only being dealt with now, and that there arises in relation to the two schools the preparation of working drawings and the bills of quantities for these as well as the invitation of tenders and a decision on them, it is possible that the work might not be able to commence for say a period of 11 or 12 months. I would ask the Deputy not to think that the period might last for two years. Anything that can be done to speed up the matter will be done. I am aware of the difficulty that arises in the school, of the serious overcrowding that is there and of the fact that perhaps even additional teachers will be necessary. All that matter is being borne in mind by the Department and is pressing on it to leave nothing undone to speed up the preparatory work that falls on the Department. I think I can also assure the Deputy that, as far as the Board of Works is concerned, there will be no delay there that is avoidable in any way.