asked the Minister for Education the estimated total number of children of school-going age in the newly developing areas of north-east Dublin; and if he will indicate the reasons why the construction of schools to meet the needs of the community has not taken place parallel with the provision of housing accommodation in the areas in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schools in New Dublin Areas.
26.
The total number of children of school-going age in the Edenmore, Bonnybrook, Santry and Ballymun newly developing areas will be approximately 11,870 on the basis of the building schemes at present proposed for these being completed.
The question of providing school accommodation in newly developing areas can only be determined when firm building estimates are available from the local authorities and when it is apparent that the proposed schemes will come to fruition.
It will be appreciated, therefore, that while the Department begins to carry out its survey of the school accommodation requirements immediately firm proposals of house building are available it is understandable that there must be a time lag between the actual building of the houses and the schools since some delays must inevitably arise in the school managers' procuring sites and taking out title to them, and for other reasons.
Wherever it is found necessary, however, to make temporary provision for the schooling of children in newly-developed housing areas, this is done.
27.
asked the Minister for Education whether his Department were advised by the Dublin Corporation or by the National Building Agency as to the numbers of dwellings it was proposed to erect at Ballymun; and what steps were taken by his Department to ensure that children in the area, and in the adjoining areas where private development has taken place, will have adequate school accommodation and facilities made available.
Mr. O'Malley
The National Building Agency have kept my Department fully advised of the number of dwellings which it is proposed to erect at Ballymun.
A new school of 20 classrooms has recently been erected at Ballymun Avenue. A further school of 17 classrooms is in course of construction in the same area.
The preliminaries for the erection of the first schools containing 36 classrooms for the "satellite" scheme have been completed and it is hoped to invite tenders at an early date.
Sites for four other large new schools with total accommodation of about 74 classrooms are being procured from Dublin Corporation. The arrangements for the building of these schools will be put in train as soon as possible, consistent with the progress of the house building and other relevant factors.