Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Jul 1959

Vol. 176 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bonmahon (Waterford) National School.

17.

Mr. Kyne

asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that on account of the failure of those in charge of the building of Bonmahon national school, County Waterford, to have provided plans and specifications for the electrical pumping and lighting of the school at the start of the building, it may be impossible to open the school in time for the coming term; and whether in view of the fact that as an emergency measure some sixty boys and girls are being taught in the Catholic Church at Sallins, near Bonmahon, and that sanitary accommodation is provided only by the courtesy of a neighbouring cottage owner, he will endeavour to prevent the occurrence of further delays.

18.

Mr. Kyne

asked the Minister for Education if he will state the date on which the erection of the national school at Bonmahon, County Waterford, was sanctioned; when building was commenced; and what is the reason for the delay in completion.

Minister for Education (Dr. Hillery)

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

I assume that the school to which the Deputy refers as Bonmahon is Knockmahon, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford.

A grant was sanctioned by my Department on the 15th July, 1954 towards the cost of erecting the proposed school.

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works, who arranged for the building of the school, that work on its erection commenced on 23rd April, 1956.

The original contract provided for dry latrines but when the school was in course of construction a well which provided an adequate supply of water was sunk near the school site and a request was then made to the Commissioners of Public Works by the Manager for the installation of a water-flushed system of sanitation.

This necessitated the preparation of fresh working drawings and a specification and consequently the work of erecting the school was held up. When building work was resumed subsequently the builder failed to complete his contract.

Consequent on this it was necessary for the Commissioners of Public Works to prepare fresh drawings and a specification with a view to the invitation of tenders for the completion of the school. A second contract has been placed and the erection of the building is nearing completion.

As the original contract provided for dry latrines it was not necessary to have plans and specifications provided for the electric pumping of the well at the start of building.

The Commissioners of Public Works do not provide for the installation of electric lighting in national schools unless a request is made for its provision by the Manager. In the case of this school the Manager applied for the installation of electric lighting on the 22nd April, 1959. A specification therefor was prepared by the Commissioners and tenders were invited on 1st July, 1959. The latest date for the acceptance of tenders is 14th July, 1959.

The Commissioners of Public Works expect to have the school completed and the electrical installation provided for lighting and the pumping of water by the 31st August, 1959, and so the school should be ready for occupation when the summer holidays expire.

Mr. Kyne

Is the Minister aware that a concrete yard put down recently will have to be ripped up now to install the water supply from the well? Surely there has been some slip-up in as far as concrete work recently completed will now have to be taken up again and re-concreted?

Dr. Hillery

As the Deputy will see from my reply, the provision for a water supply was not made in the original contract and was made later. In order to have a water supply, we must do the necessary work to put it there.

Mr. Kyne

Yes, but the application was made at least a year ago. The work was carried out only a fortnight ago.