(Cavan) asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that Cortubber national school in the parish of Lough Gowna, County Cavan, is without electric light, running water, a proper heating system, a cloakroom, a play shelter or flush toilets and that it is generally in a very bad state of repair; and if he will take immediate steps to have these necessary amenities provided and the building put into a reasonable state of repair.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan School.
36.
My Department is advised that this school is on a very poor and restricted site surrounded by higher ground and that it does not lend itself to a major improvement scheme. In order to provide better educational facilities for the children, arrangements are being made to amalgamate this small school with the school in Gowna. Steps are being taken to provide the necessary additional accommodation there with the minimum delay.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that in addition to the very primitive conditions described in the question the school is rat-infested, dangerously rat-infested? Is he further aware that since I put down this question the parents have withdrawn their children from the school, that there is actually a strike on there in the interests of the children's health? Would the Minister either take immediate steps to have the school put into a tolerable state of repair and safety, or provide transport immediately to bring the children to another school?
I am aware that the school is in very bad condition and I have asked the Commissioners of Public Works to make the necessary arrangements as a matter of urgency.
(Cavan): This is a very urgent matter because there is a strike on there. Is the Minister aware that the children are not attending the school and will he now attend to the matter as one of extreme urgency?
I am attending to it as a matter of urgency.
(Cavan): Well, the Minister does not seem to be aware that there is a strike on there.
I am sorry to hear that there is a strike. I am aware of the urgency of the matter and I am dealing with it as a matter of urgency.
(Cavan): If the Minister is not aware that there is a strike on somebody in the Minister's Department is not attending to his duty because there has been a strike on for a week.
I have told the Deputy I am dealing with this. I have asked the Office of Public Works to deal with it as quickly as possible.