asked the Minister for Education if it is intended that the Office of Public Works should design larger schools than those with the present limitation of six classrooms in view of the recommendation to this effect in the Report on Investment in Education and in view of the present sharp rise in the need for seven to 12-roomed schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Design of School.
33.
My Department and the Office of Public Works are in regular consultation as to the most effective method of carrying out the primary school building programme, having regard to economy in both finance and time.
While the Schools Division of the Office of Public Works have in a few recent instances undertaken the design and planning of schools having more than six classrooms, the pressure on the architectural staff in the design and planning of smaller schools, including special schools for handicapped and underprivileged children, and on major schemes of improvement and extension, is such that it would not be possible— for the present, at least—for the Office of Public Works to undertake the design and planning of any substantial proportion of the larger schools. However, I am having the whole matter examined.