asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to commence the erection of the new national school at Four Roads, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Schools.
The arrangements for the building of a new school to replace the present Four Roads National School, which is also known as Tisrara National School, County Roscommon, are in the hands of the Commissioners of Public Works.
Because of the increasingly heavy programme of work involved in connection with the building of new schools and the enlargement and improvement of existing schools throughout the country and of the pressure on the commissioners' architectural staff, the commissioners have not yet been able to bring this case to the stage at which tenders for the erection of the new building can be invited.
I regret that I cannot say at present when work on the erection of the new school will be commenced, but every effort will be made to expedite the completion of the remaining arrangements so that tenders may be invited and a contract placed.
Might I ask the Minister if priority is now given to the places that can bring the greatest amount of pressure to bear by strikes and so forth, or is sanction for the building of schools given on the basis that application has been made for a number of years? Are other areas that use strong pressure by strike to come in earlier than Four Roads?
I can assure the Deputy that intimidation will not influence the Department.
asked the Minister for Education what is the present position in regard to the proposal to erect new national schools in the Ballyphehane area, Cork City.
Work on the erection of the new schools for senior girls and infants to serve the Ballyphehane area of Cork City has been commenced by the contractor.
With regard to the new school for senior boys, which it is proposed to erect in this area, my Department still awaits the receipt of documentary evidence of title to the site which is required in order to enable the school to be vested in trustees by an official lease. The procedure involved in connection with the production of proof of title is, I understand, of a complicated nature, but every effort is being made to have matters expedited. As soon as title has been obtained, my Department will sanction a grant towards the cost of the erection of the school.
asked the Minister for Education what is the present position in regard to the provision of a new school at Rich Hill, Lisnagry, County Limerick, and what will be the amount of the local contribution.
Difficulty has been experienced by the reverend manager in securing a suitable site for a new school. It is understood that he is not now in a position to make available a site which had been proposed by him and which the Department was prepared to accept. The reverend manager has offered an alternative site and the Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to investigate its suitability. The Deputy will understand that no progress can be made as regards the arrangements for a new school until a suitable site has been acquired.
It is not the practice and it will be appreciated that in the general interest it would not be desirable for me to disclose details of the arrangements made regarding the amount of the local contribution to be provided in the case of any particular school.
asked the Minister for Education what is the present position in regard to the proposed new boys' and girls' national schools at Ferrybank, Waterford.
A grant has been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of the erection of a new school to replace the present Ferrybank Boys' National School. It is now a matter for the Commissioners of Public Works to make the preliminary arrangements for the erection of the new school. These arrangements will necessarily take a considerable time to complete, but they will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible, having regard to the many other cases on hands which demand attention.
With regard to the girl's school, it is proposed to carry out a scheme of extension to provide considerably increased accommodation. Sketch plans for the scheme have been prepared by the reverend manager's architect and are at present being considered by the Commissioners of Public Works.
The commissioners hope to be in a position to report to my Department on the plans at an early date and, subject to the plans being approved, a grant towards the cost of the scheme will be sanctioned without delay.
It will then be a matter for the reverend manager to arrange to have working drawings, a specification, and bills of quantities prepared, in order to enable tenders to be invited.
Is the Minister aware that over 200 new houses have been built in the vicinity of that school, that overcrowding is very serious there and that these are not the type of people who will strike or do anything like that?
Hear, hear!
They will not start any agitation but would like to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that overcrowding is very serious.
I quite agree, but I think it was wiser to build the houses first, and then the school.
The houses are built.
And we will come along now and build the school.