asked the Minister for Finance when the proposed new primary school at Beaumont, Dublin will become operational.
28.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School.
27.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that there is grave anxiety among parents in the Beaumont area, Dublin concerning the delay in starting work on the new primary school there; and if he will make the necessary arrangements to have construction work started immediately so that the school may be ready by July, 1975.
Mr. Kenny
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
The reverend manager has been authorised to accept a tender for the erection of this school. It is yet too early to say when the work will be completed.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in this Beaumont area the manager, because of pressure of circumstances, has had to enrol a very considerable number of children for July, 1975 and that it is essential that this school be there and operating by that date? Can he give me and the parents any hope or any encouragement in regard to its expeditious provision? I am speaking for my colleague, Deputy Timmons in this regard also. Deputy Belton is not interested.
Mr. Belton
Deputy Belton asked for it a long time ago.
Mr. Kenny
Time saved at the beginning of any project is time saved and if the manager saves time now by finalising the contract he will be doing as the Deputy desires. I can guarantee that the Office of Public Works will see that the contractor does his work as speedily as possible if the Deputy sees that the manager does his work as quickly as possible.
I accept what the Parliamentary Secretary says as a broad statement of principle but I am not quite clear as to the exact position regarding these plans and the contractor commencing work. Where is the delay at present?
Mr. Kenny
It is with the manager because he has been asked to accept a tender, according to my information, and saving time at the beginning is as effective as at the end.
It is always important to save time but time is against us in this situation and I am being pressed and so is Deputy Timmons— Deputy Belton does not bother with these matters——
Mr. Kenny
Of course, he does.
——by parents to get the building of this school started. I understand that the manager is as anxious as anybody to get on with it because the pressure is on him to have these children taught from next July.
Mr. Kenny
If the Deputy does his work as well as I shall do mine when I get going on that contract, and if he goes to the manager and gets him to finalise the contract, that will be saving time.
At this stage I am not criticising the Parliamentary Secretary but merely trying to establish where the delay is. Is the Parliamentary Secretary assuring me that a contractor has been selected and that it is only a matter of the manager signing a contract.
Mr. Belton
I was looking into that last week.
When this question was put down?
(Interruptions.)
Mr. Kenny
On 9th October the tenders were sent to the commissioners. I had been asked by Deputy Belton before this to expedite the matter.
(Interruptions.)
Mr. Kenny
They were then examined and various points relating to the examination were discussed with the architect. On 18th November the manager was authorised by the commissioners to accept a tender for the work. From 9th October to 18th November is a very short time.
Was there any relation between that authorisation and the putting down of these questions by Deputy Timmons and myself? At any rate the manager has now been authorised to accept a tender?
Mr. Kenny
It rests now with the manager.
(Interruptions.)