asked the Minister for Education if his Department has any plans before it for a post primary school at Kilcormac, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the present position.
18.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilcormac (Offaly) Post Primary School.
17.
asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed new vocational school in Kilcormac, County Offaly; when he expects the work on this school to commence; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. Arrangements are being made to provide the accommodation required at this school before September, 1971.
Would the Minister enlarge on this? Would he like to add something?
I do not think there is anything further I can add except that a proposal put forward by us was accepted, that this further accommodation be made available by September, 1971.
Is it the position that the new building at Kilcormac will be provided by 1971?
It is simply that a prefabricated school would be provided to meet the school requirements. This, I am informed, was accepted by the vocational education committee.
The vocational education committee are not meeting until next Monday and no final decision has been taken by the committee as such on this matter. All the members, including myself, were under the impression that a new vocational school building was being provided in Kilcormac. Furthermore, I would point out that in April, 1967, an inspector from the Minister's Department——
We cannot have a debate on this. The Deputy may put a question.
The inspector came down and stated——
The Deputy may not continue making a speech. He may put a question.
He stated that——
Question No. 19.
As I have not got the desired answer and as I have not had an opportunity to discuss this I propose, with your permission, Sir, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I can point out to the Deputy that at a recent meeting in my Department the proposal was put to the chairman of the vocational education committee, and the chief executive officer, that prefabricated schools would be provided to meet the school's requirements and this was acceptable. It was agreed that the accommodation would be made available for September, 1971, and there is no further information I can give the Deputy.
In 1964, there was a promise given that three new rooms would be provided for the existing school——
There will be a prefabricated building.
Those three rooms were promised in 1964 and they have not been provided yet.
There will be a prefabricated school made available.
Can I have an assurance from the Minister that they will be provided by that date?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that people throughout the country are objecting to these prefabs——
That is a separate question.
Well, the Minister mentioned prefabs.
I have no doubt that the Deputy thought that one up in the last minute. I have no question about that.