asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to ensure that sanction will be given by his Department to enable Laois Vocational Education Committee to invite tenders for the erection of the proposed new vocational school at Mountmellick at their July meeting, so that the school may be completed within 12 months and available for opening in 1965; and if all outstanding matters will be cleared by his Department with the Committee without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois Vocational Schools.
84.
On 7th May, my Department authorised the Laois Vocational Education Committee to have full working drawings and specification prepared for the proposed vocational school at Mountmellick.
Pending the submission and examination of these documents, I am not in a position to say when the Committee may be given sanction to invite tenders for the building of the school.
85.
asked the Minister for Education what is the reason for the delay in giving sanction to the very urgent and necessary extension to the vocational school at Portarlington, County Laois; and what action he is taking in regard to the proposals submitted by the Vocational Education Committee in order to provide ample accommodation.
The proposal by the Laois Vocational Education Committee to extend the vocational school at Portarlington contemplated the provision of additional classrooms of a temporary nature and so required special consideration.
I am satisfied that the additional accommodation is required and that the proposal to provide it by means of a temporary type of structure is one that in the circumstances of the case may be approved. Notification to that effect was sent to the County Laois Vocational Education Committee on 15th of this month.
86.
asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the erection of a five-roomed vocational school at Mountrath, Laois, as the Vocational Education Committee feel that a five-roomed school is necessary.
The first formal intimation to my Department that the Committee wished that the new vocational school at Mountrath should have five classrooms was received on 19th May.
I shall have the proposal considered and brought to decision as soon as possible.