asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange for the use of the F.C.A. hall in Tomhaggard, County Wexford, for vocational education purposes, such as domestic economy instruction, for which there is a pressing local demand.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Wexford F.C.A. Hall.
The F.C.A. hut at Tomhaggard is a timber structure roofed with felting. Owing to the highly inflammable nature of such structures their use by outside bodies is not permitted, and accordingly I regret that the hut at Tomhaggard cannot be made available for vocational education purposes.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this happens to be the only hall available in this district? The vocational committee require the hall for the purpose of training a domestic economy class and they are prepared to insure it against any risk of fire. In view of this would the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the matter? I know the risk of burning down the hall would be far less in the case of a domestic economy class than would arise from its use by a body of recruits training for the F.C.A.
The Chief Executive Officer, County Wexford Vocational Education Committee, applied in October 1954 for permission to use the F.C.A. at Tomhaggard to hold a domestic science class and was informed that his application could not be granted. The construction of the hut at Tomhaggard was completed on 11th January, 1950. There is no water supply to the hut and sanitary facilities are provided by a chemical non-flush toilet in a wooden lean-to shed at the rear of the building. On the 14th April, 1951, a general instruction prohibiting the letting of such huts to outside bodies was issued.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state how many such huts there are in the country?
I am not in a position to supply that information but, if the Deputy so wishes, I shall obtain it and have it conveyed to the Deputy.