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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1966

Vol. 223 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary School Building.

62.

asked the Minister for Education if he will establish a central fund from which secondary school authorities may borrow capital for the building of urgently needed new secondary schools, particularly in Dublin.

I do not consider that such a step is required. Many school authorities have been successful in obtaining the necessary credit facilities in connection with their building project and I am satisfied that the normal process of borrowing will, with the easing of credit generally, be sufficient to meet the needs of the situation.

Is the Minister aware that many schools have in fact been unable to borrow through private channels and that, even apart from the current credit restrictions, many institutions have difficulty in obtaining the necessary financial accommodation? Would the Minister not consider the establishment of a State fund for educational capital purposes like the Local Loans Fund which would help these institutions to go ahead with urgently needed building requirements?

No, As I said, I do not think this is necessary. Some of the schools have been successful, even in the circumstances of credit restrictions. As I have said, with the easing of credit generally, I think the normal borrowing arrangements will be adequate to meet the situation.

Is it not a fact that no school has yet been able to avail of this grant?

That is not true.

They are unable to get credit. I could count on both hands the number of schools able to get credit. The Minister knows them.

The Deputy is not correct in stating that no school has been able to avail of the grant.

How many have got the grant?

That is a different question.

There you are.

As I explained already, the scheme of grants consists of an up to 60 per cent payment by the State of the repayment of interest on loans, so that it only commences when the repayments commence.

And they commence when they get the loan. They have not got the loan.

It commences when they start to repay the loan. The Deputy has some questions down later on which I am giving him information as to the schools which have been sanctioned for these grants. Some of them have actually done the work, while others have not as yet. There is no indication whatever that because the money has not yet been paid out, people are not availing of the loans. As I told the Deputy, a number have already availed of this.

63.

asked the Minister for Education if he will state, with reference to the 21 secondary school projects sanctioned for building grants, the date upon which each application was received and sanctioned; when building work commenced; and if assistance towards meeting interest on temporary loans will be given by the State pending the completion of formal loans, particularly in view of the prolonged credit squeeze and the bank strike.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I intend to circulate with the Official Report.

The question of the date on which building work commenced is one for the manager of the particular school. My Department does not require to be advised in the matter.

I am not aware of any case in which a school authority has obtained a temporary loan to meet the cost of building. Should an application for assistance in connection with such a loan be received by my Department, it will be sympathetically considered.

Following is the statement:

LIST of Schools approved for grant under the Scheme of building grants for Secondary Schools.

School

Date of application

Date of Sanction

Scoil na mBráithre, Kilrush, County Clare

28/7/1964

13/6/1966

Scoil na mBráithre, O'Sullivans Quay, Cork

29/6/1964

22/10/1965

Scoil Muire, An Mhainistir, Thuaidh, Cork

26/6/1964

14/3/1966

Coláiste Cholmáin, Fermoy, County Cork

31/5/1964

28/6/1966

Coláiste Mhuire, Parnell Square, Dublin

18/6/1964

23/6/1965

Scoil na mBráithre, Synge Street, Dublin

1/11/1964

6/10/1965

Meánscoil Choilm, na Bráithre Críostaí, Crumlin, Dublin.

22/6/1964

25/6/1966

Scoil na mBráthar, Cnoc na Fuiseoige, Àth Cliath.

11/3/1965

6/9/1965

St. Paul's Girls' Secondary School, Greenhills, Walkinstown, Dublin.

9/9/1964

25/3/1966

Holy Ghost School, Templeogue, Dublin

13/5/1964

2/6/1965

De La Salle College, Upper Kilmacud Road, Kilmacud, County Dublin.

2/10/1964

5/7/1965

Ard Scoil na mBráithre, Clonkeen Road, Cabinteely, County Dublin.

1/9/1964

9/9/1965

Meánscoil Muire, Clochar na Trócaire, Galway

7/11/1964

5/5/1966

Clochar na Toirbhirte, Galway

12/7/1964

1/9/1965

Coláiste Iognáid, Galway

18/5/1964

6/6/1966

Meánscoil Sheosaimh, Clochar na Trócaire, Gort, Co. Galway.

7/11/1964

5/5/1965

Holy Family Convent Secondary School, Droichead Nua, County Kildare.

6/8/1964

28/9/1965

Christian Brothers Secondary School, St. Mary's, Drogheda, County Louth.

4/2/1965

9/7/1965

Scoil Muire, Convent of Mercy, Trim, County Meath.

8/6/1964

16/7/1965

Scoil na mBráithre, Monaghan

10/6/1964

5/7/1965

St. Macartan's College, Monaghan

17/7/1964

29/6/1965

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