asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for additional accommodation for academic and physical education at St. Vincent's CBS, Glasnevin, Dublin; and when such accommodation will be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Schools' Accommodation.
22.
The need for additional accommodation at St. Vincent's, Glasnevin will be assessed when a form of application sent to the school manager on 3rd June, 1976 has been completed and returned to my Department.
If the school manager demonstrates that there is need for an art room, a geography room, a music room and a library will the Minister indicate that such facilities will be made available?
It would be inappropriate to give any guarantees in advance of receipt of the form in question.
Does the Minister accept that if the school is without the four rooms I have indicated the obligation is on him to redress that shortcoming?
When the form is sent to me I will assess the situation. I do not wish to enter into any hypothetical guarantees.
Would the Minister accept, irrespective of what might be on the form, that having regard to modern educational requirements every secondary school should have a library, an art room and a geography room?
What I would like and what I can deliver given the amount of money made available to me for these purposes or indeed to any of my predecessors are two different things.
If the Minister had the money he would regard those as being essential?
I would like to do many things.
23.
asked the Minister for Education when the much needed additional accommodation being provided at St. Michael's Holy Faith Convent, Finglas, Dublin will be available for occupation and use.
I understand that the extension to St. Michael's Secondary School, Finglas is due for completion in February, 1977 and that six classrooms in the extension together with two other spaces, which can be used temporarily as classrooms, will be ready for occupation in September, 1976.
Is the Minister aware that the girls there will be obliged to work in a building 150 years old, which has been regarded, in a statement made by the fire officer, as not being satisfactory? He said he would not be responsible if an accident occurs. Could the Minister not have completion of this building expedited?
I undertook on a previous occasion, when the Deputy raised this question with me on 18th November, 1975, to have the work completed in 15 months. In fact, I am delivering on that schedule and I am glad to be able to say that six rooms will be open in September.
I think progress, which had not been made up to this, is being made.
Would the Minister not accept that if there is opportunity and it is possible for him to do better than he hoped for he should avail of that opportunity?
I am doing very well in this particular case and I think the Deputy realises that.