asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the appalling condition of Rochford Bridge boys' national school, County Westmeath; and if he will have repairs carried out as a matter of urgency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath School.
68.
Representations have been made to my Department regarding the conditions at Rochford Bridge boys' national school and I have arranged for an investigation into the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the urgency in this matter? Long before Christmas public representatives were approached about this matter. The yard is like a silage pit. What report has the Parliamentary Secretary received? Does he think the matter an urgent one?
A complaint was received from the parents' association on 20th December, 1974, and the Minister asked the Commissioners of Public Works to arrange with their local officer to call on the manager at an early date to advise him what works should be carried out in order to improve the condition of the school. Needless to say, the Minister will take into account the sentiments expressed by the Deputy in deciding what action should be taken on the report when it is received from the Board of Works.
This is a matter of urgency. Has the Parliamentary Secretary got any report?
I understand that inspectors and officers of the Department of Education were in touch with the situation prior to the complaint and a grant was sanctioned for the provision of a ball court in October, 1973. They were also in touch with the manager with regard to the completion of the heating system. A more general report is now being sought following the complaint received in December last and I can assure the Deputy the points he has made will be taken into account in remedying whatever defects exist.
Has the manager been offered any grant to carry out repairs?
If repairs are sanctioned I presume grants will be paid but, as I said in my reply, an official of the Office of Public Works is going to Rochford Bridge to discuss the situation with the manager. He may have spoken to him already. He will be reporting to us and following on his report we will be in a position to decide what works are appropriate and what grants are required.
As I have pointed out in my question, this is a matter of urgency. The children are attending the school but the conditions are desperate. They are trying to cater for double the number originally envisaged. I do not know the reason for the delay. All of us attended the meeting last Sunday. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were going to do everything but nothing has been done. No investigation has been carried out. The children who are attending the school have to walk into slurry—I have already described it as a silage pit. Somebody must highlight the dreadful conditions. The village may be regarded as a Bord na Móna village but it is not on a bog. People promised to do something to remedy this matter but nothing has been done——
I would remind the Deputy that this is Question Time. I am calling Question No. 69.
I want to know if any investigation has been made. Last Sunday we were told that someone from the Office of Public Works would come down to investigate but nothing has been done.
I can tell the Deputy that immediately on receipt of a complaint from the parents' association in December it was arranged that someone from the Office of Public Works would go to the area to find out the situation. A report is expected from the Office of Public Works in the near future and then action will be taken.
How long will that take? The children and the parents are suffering.
We cannot have any further supplementaries on this question. I have called Question No. 69.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary know when the report will be received?
I do not know.