asked the Minister for Education if he will state (1) the total number of national schools which require replacement because they are insanitary, unhygienic and unfit for human occupation or otherwise medically condemned, and of that number, the number so classed in (a) 1947, (b) 1951, (c) 1953 and (d) 1956; and (2) at the present rate of replacement of such schools, how long it will be before suitable schools are provided where they are badly needed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Replacement of National Schools.
There are at present 843 national schools which, it is considered, should be replaced by new schools. Schools considered to be in need of replacement are not classified in categories indicating the grounds on which they are regarded as unsuitable. Of those at present listed for replacement there is, regrettably, a number in which conditions are such that new schools are required as a matter of great urgency. In the case of a considerable number of schools which it is proposed to replace, the need for new schools is, however, comparatively non-urgent.
Grants have been sanctioned by my Department for the erection of new buildings in 158 of these cases. In 1953 there were 650 cases of schools requiring replacement and grants for new schools had been sanctioned in 70 of these cases. The figure in 1956 was 822, including 139 in which grants for new schools had been sanctioned. I regret that I am not in a position to give figures for 1947 and 1951, as the records of the Department are not in such a form as would make it possible to compile the information.
There are a number of factors, financial and other, which make it impossible for me to answer precisely the second part of the Deputy's question, and I am unable to say when the position will be reached when new schools will have been provided in all the cases in which they are needed. All I can say is that every effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to achieve that position.
Did I hear the Minister aright that the figure for replacements in 1956 was greater than that for 1953?
It is a higher figure. It became higher by reason of an examination made by the Department's inspectors. One hundred and forty cases arose as a result of these examinations.
Would it be fair to say that the Department are not only unable to keep up with necessary repairs and replacements but that they are falling badly behind, and while the Minister referred to financial and other considerations, surely the considerations of children's health and of teachers' working conditions should weigh much more with the Minister?
The Deputy can rest assured that these considerations will weigh with me.