(Cavan) asked the Minister for Education the date on which approval was sought for the erection of a new central school at Farragh to replace Crossdoney, Garbratten, Clongonnell and Ballintemple national schools, County Cavan; if he will give details of the steps since taken by his Department or the Office of Public Works to have the building commenced; and if he will explain the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan County School.
53.
My Department has sanctioned a grant towards the cost of erecting the proposed new central school at Crossdoney, County Cavan.
The case is among those school building projects which are on the priority list for the present financial year. The Commissioners of Public Works are now arranging to have the working drawings and specifications prepared before proceeding to invite tenders.
The preliminary arrangements leading up to the sanction of the grant extended over a number of years. These included such matters as (a) consideration of the scope of the proposed amalgamation of schools in the parish of Kilmore, (b) location and suitability of site, (c) question of transport services to the new school, (d) preparation of sketch plans, (e) furnishing of bill to the site.
(Cavan): The Minister will, I think, agree that he has got full co-operation from the manager of the schools concerned and that, notwithstanding that, the project has been under way for approximately ten years. Am I to take it from the Minister's reply now that building will start in all probability this year?
As I pointed out to the Deputy, a very considerable number of problems arose as, I am sure, he knows. I have pointed out also that the case is among those school building projects which are on the priority list for the present financial year.
(Cavan): Does that mean building will start this year?
I just cannot say. I am dealing with it as a matter of urgency.
(Cavan): I would ask the Minister to give it maximum urgency in view of the history of the project.