asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to provide vocational education facilities at Foxford, County Mayo.
25.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Vocational Schools.
24.
asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to start building the new vocational school at Geesala, County Mayo.
26.
asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to begin work on the additional rooms required at the vocational schools in Belmullet and Ballina, County Mayo.
27.
asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to begin work on the additional rooms required at the vocational school Crossmolina, County Mayo.
With the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 24, 25, 26 and 27 together.
The question of providing a new vocational school at a centre, or of extending an existing school, is primarily a matter for the vocational education committee concerned, as are the detailed arrangements for building when the project has been sanctioned. It is not, therefore, possible for me to indicate precisely in any individual case when building operations will commence.
The position, as far as my Department is concerned, in relation to the cases mentioned in the Deputy's question is as follows:—
Sketch plans have been submitted, and approved, for the proposed new vocational school at Geesala, while sketch plans for the extension to Ballina schools are at present being examined in my Department.
No specific proposals have been submitted by the Co. Mayo Vocational Education Committee for the building of a vocational school at Foxford or for the extension of Belmullet vocational school.
A proposal was adopted by the Committee in November, 1959 to extend Crossmolina vocational school, provided that this did not hold up or delay the building schemes already drawn up by the committee.
Is the Minister aware of the great necessity for extension to the Belmullet and Crossmolina schools and in view of the fact that Bord na Móna, the E.S.B. and fishing are steadily developing in the areas, will he favourably consider providing a grant for such extensions if the vocational committee submit plans?
It is primarily a problem for the vocational committee. They have an extensive building programme planned and there will be no avoidable delay in my Department.
Whatever about "unavoidable".