asked the Minister for Education what is the reason for the delay regarding proposals for the erection of a vocational school at Louisburgh, County Mayo, about which negotiations have been taking place over the last ten years between Mayo Vocational Education Committee and his Department; and if he will take immediate steps to expedite procedure so as to have this much-needed vocational school erected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louisburgh (Mayo) Vocational School.
87.
It is not correct to say that negotiations have been taking place over the last ten years regarding a vocational school for Louisburgh.
The first firm proposals regarding a school for this centre came before my Department in November, 1959, and the purchase of a site was sanctioned in May, 1960.
The first sketch plans for the school, which were submitted to my Department in July, 1960, were unaccepable, and after considerable correspondence new plans were prepared and submitted in May, 1961. These plans were examined in the Department and in the Office of Public Works and amendments were considered necessary which necessitated the provision of revised plans. These were submitted in October, 1961, were examined by the Department and the Office of Public Works and were approved in March, 1962.
Lay-out drawings for the furniture and fittings are at present before my Department. Their examination will be completed in the course of the next few days and a decision as to their suitability will be communicated to the County Mayo Vocational Education Committee without delay.