asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for a vocational school in Foxford, County Mayo; and if he is prepared to give immediate sanction to proposals which are in his Department so that work on this project can be undertaken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foxford (Mayo) Vocational School.
50.
In May last I authorised the County Mayo Vocational Education Committee to have working drawings and specifications prepared for the building. These have not yet been submitted to my Department.
Is the Minister aware that the town of Foxford had an industry long before we had a native Government, and that there is an absolute need for a vocational school in the town of Foxford to serve a wide area? Will the Minister not take some steps to see that such a school is provided, at once, or as early as possible?
I do not know if the Deputy was listening to my reply.
I was listening to it. It is the type of answer to which I have been listening at meetings of the Mayo County Council for the past number of years. It is the type of answer that goes from Billy to Jack. Can the Minister tell me that that school will be provided? He is the Minister responsible.
Is the Deputy suggesting that I, as Minister, should take away a function of the vocational committees?
No.
He cannot have it both ways.
What is the sense in asking a vocational education committee to go ahead and get plans and specifications prepared, and to go to that expense if, when they are prepared, the Minister says: "No, you cannot build"?
The Deputy has a question which will be coming up and I will then deal with it in more detail.
The Minister will be getting another one about Trim.