asked the Minister for Education the developments he has sanctioned or is considering in respect of the construction or enlargement of vocational schools in the Dublin City area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Vocational Schools.
5.
Mr. R. Burke
Extension to the vocational schools at Coolock-Kilmore, Marino and North Strand have been sanctioned and planning is in progress. Discussions are proceeding in regard to proposals submitted by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee in the following cases: Mount St.-Ringsend-Shelbourne Rd; Finglas; Whitehall; Rathmines; Cabra, Crumlin Rd.-Clogher Rd.-Sundrive Rd., north central area of Dublin city; and Ballyfermot.
I am thankful to the Minister for his comprehensive list but I am pessimistic because the Ringsend school has been planned for many years and a good deal of confusion exists about it. The Minister might be able to clear up some of this confusion which has been started by official sources. When will this school be built?
Mr. R. Burke
A proposal to build a new vocational school in Ringsend to replace the existing boys vocational school there and Mount Street was delayed because the City of Dublin VEC were unable to obtain a site. It was then decided to build a new school on the existing site at Cambridge Road. It is now proposed by the VEC to cater for girls at the new school. This question was not raised or examined during discussions on the original proposal but it is now being examined in the context of the possible closing down of the girls' vocational school at Shelbourne Road. When these examinations have been completed there will not be any undue delay.
Why should the Minister consider the closing of the Ballsbridge school which is a fairly modern building?
Mr. R. Burke
It was thought better to rationalise the situation in the area by building a larger school to cater for boys and girls. The VEC took this view and I will examine what they put before me.