asked the Minister for Education if he has proposals for the erection of a new school at Kells, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
61.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath School.
60.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange for the early sanctioning of proposals to seek tenders for the erection of a new primary school in Kells, County Meath
With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
My Department has now sanctioned a grant towards the cost of a new school to replace the existing Kells convent national school. Due to the heavy school building programme on hands I am unable to say at present when this case will reach the stage when tenders might be invited.
Could the Minister say whether it is on the priority list?
I have not got that information.
Surely the Minister should have expected that supplementary question because he must know on its position on the list will depend whether it will be built in the next few years or in this century at all?
It will certainly be built within a reasonable time. It must be remembered that the school-building programme is an exceptionally heavy one and, for that reason, I have got to have my priorities. I simply cannot say at this stage when this school will be built.
Will it be this year, next year or the year after? The Minister must remember he did give particulars here before and they were changed afterwards. Priorities seem to move around a bit.
If sufficient funds are made available in 1972-73 this will be included in the priority list.
It is an "if".
Is the Minister aware that there is pretty severe overcrowding in the school and I have been told that the Board of Education condemned one of these schools 25 years ago?
I am sure the Deputy is aware of the very heavy building programme. So many schools are being built that, were I to accept all the invitations I get to open schools, I would not be doing anything else. The Deputy can be assured we are getting on as rapidly as possible with the provision of schools in areas in which they are necessary but, as I said, we must have a priority list.