asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for the provision of further extensions at Bonniconlon national school. Ballina, County Mayo; and when work on this proposed scheme will be undertaken.
28.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo School.
27.
asked the Minister for Education when the extension to Bonniconlon national school, County Mayo will be started; if the necessary moneys have been provided; and if the work will be expedited in view of the fact that the new teacher has to teach infants in the hallway.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
My Department have requested the Commissioners of Public Works to furnish a report as to whether it would be feasible and economic to transfer a vacant prefabricated classroom from Ceara NS to Bonniconlon NS in order to provide accommodation for the additional teacher and class. If the Commissioners so recommend, my Department will sanction a grant towards the cost of the transfer, and will instruct them to have the work carried out as a matter of urgency. Alternatively, it will be necessary to provide a new prefabricated classroom.
Is the Minister aware that at present a number of children are being huddled together in a small room at this school at Bonniconlon? May I remind the Minister that a member of this party as well as Deputy Finn and I were present at a meeting at which these matters were brought to our attention and that we concluded that should a fire occur in the building, there would be no hope of getting the children out safety? Would the Minister not consider that this is a case where emergency measures should be taken so that the health and lives of the children can be protected?
I appreciate the problem as stated by the Deputy. As I have said, I have asked the Commissioners to let me have a report as quickly as possible. I have been in touch with them again and I hope to have the report very soon; otherwise, it will be a case of providing a new prefabricated classroom.