asked the Minister for Education what is the cause of the delay in starting work on the construction of the new national school at Milford, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - New School for Donegal.
Certain preliminary arrangements will have to be made by the Commissioners of Public Works before they will be in a position to invite tenders for the erection of the proposed new national school at Milford, County Donegal. Because of the increasingly heavy programme of work in connection with the building and improvement of national schools which the commissioners have on hands it will be some considerable time yet before the necessary arrangements for this new school can be completed, but the case will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Can the Minister say exactly at what stage the construction of this school is being held up? My information is that it is being held up somewhere within the Department's offices or their subsidiaries. I want to get it clear where the hold-up is, whether it is at this end, or at the other end.
The arrangements have been completed, so far as the Department is concerned. When the arrangements have been settled on the side of the Department, they are passed on to the Office of Public Works. They will have to do an amount of preliminary work before part of the building work can be done. I think the Deputy may take it that it will be six months before tenders can be invited for the construction of this school. I would imagine that inside six months it will be possible to invite tenders.
Could the Minister, in view of the very great need that exists for a school in this particular district, not try to get this matter expedited? At present, half of the school is not used, due to the fact that the floor is under water part of the time. Some of the children are being taught in the local hall. Two-thirds of the children have no school, and one-third use the half where the floor is under water most of the time.
As far as the Department is concerned, and the Board of Works, no period has been allowed to go by default in speeding up the construction of the school.