asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the bad conditions obtaining in Ballyshannon Vocational School, County Donegal; and the action he proposes to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal School.
32.
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware that the County Donegal Vocational Education Committee have applied for additional accommodation for their school in Ballyshannon. My Department is at present considering the committee's application in the context of the future organisation of second-level education in Ballyshannon.
Is the Minister aware that the situation in Ballyshannon has been left on the long finger for a considerable time? I hope he will not add to the length of the finger from the point of view of giving consideration to a community school or a community of schools, which the people are very keen on getting. When they seem to have the door open to achieve this, and it seems to be a matter of just pushing the door, those in authority become very reluctant and the result is we are left short in every sense of the word and our latest effort in looking for additional accommodation as a last resort is an effort to try to get something done. It does not answer the proposal of the Department which was a community school or a community of schools.
Mr. R. Burke
I agree with the Deputy. There is no doubt the vocational school needs additional accommodation but it is, unfortunately, on a restricted site and it would not be a good long-term proposition to put further permanent buildings on it. I can assure the Deputy I am personally involved this very week in trying to formulate proposals which would lead to a speeding up of these difficult areas in which we have private secondary schools and vocational education committee schools in the same urban areas and where the suggestion by the Department of a single school is not acceptable. I can assure the Deputy I am pursuing this actively at this very moment.
In view of the Minister's immediate concern with this and related problems, would the Minister, if at all possible, have some communication with the vocational committee which is meeting specially in Ballyshannon school this evening indicating exactly what the position is by next Tuesday? The time is short but it might be possible that some information might be forthcoming, even some hope as to what they may expect.
Mr. R. Burke
I will bear the Deputy's point in mind and, if I can give him any information which will be of help to him, I shall certainly pass it on.