asked the Minister for Education if he can state when work on the erection of the vocational schools at (1) Ballycroy, (2) Knockmore, (3) Laherdane and (4) Currane, County Mayo will start.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Vocational Schools.
43.
No plans have yet been submitted to me in respect of these schools. Accordingly, I am not in a position to state when work will start on their erection.
Is there any purpose in any vocational educational committee submitting plans to the Minister's Department at present or have the functions of these committees ceased and are these functions assumed by the Department until the results of the survey which is now taking place are available?
The functions of the committees have certainly not ceased but the survey which is being carried out, when the results are available, will almost certainly affect a number of plans which vocational committees have because they were not, and are not, in a position to carry out the survey which has relation to all post-primary education and not merely to vocational education. To that extent, the result of the survey will affect the plans of committees but no vocational committee is prevented from going ahead with its plans.
Is it not a fact that moneys have been sanctioned for the vocational committee in Galway and they cannot get the fees to pay the architect?
I have no knowledge of what the Deputy is talking about, but if this is so, it seems to be a matter for the vocational committee.
It is not. I know, because I am a member of it.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that it is his intention, despite the fact that this survey is under way, to allow vocational committees to proceed with planning up to the acceptance of the lowest tender and then say: "No, you must await the outcome of this survey," as he said in the case of Clondalkin?
The Deputy is wrong in saying "up to the acceptance of the lowest tender"—up to the signing of the contract documents.
You accepted the lowest tender in Clondalkin and appointed a clerk of works.
(Interruptions.)