asked the Minister for Finance when the new primary school at Rivermount, Finglas South, Dublin will be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School.
20.
It is expected that the 16-classroom school now in course of erection at Rivermount will be completed in about three months' time. A grant towards the cost of a further 16-classroom school to be erected on an adjoining site has been sanctioned by the Department of Education. The Commissioners of Public Works have authorised the chairman of the Board of management to have plans and specifications for this school prepared by his architect.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate what was the scheduled date of completion for the first school?
I will give the Deputy the information I have. On the 6th May, 1975, the Department of Education sanctioned a grant for another 16-classroom school at Rivermount, St. Helena's, that is the one the Deputy is speaking about. The Commissioners of Public Works authorised the chairman and the board of management to accept a tender for this school on the 13th January, 1976. Work began in February, 1976, and is now well advanced. Work was delayed for about ten weeks during the course of the contract due to the non-availability of some materials and also due to the reduced cash flow during the bank strike. It is expected that the school will be completed by the end of April, 1977. A grant for a further 16-classroom school to be erected at St. Helena's was sanctioned on the 9th November, 1976. The commissioners authorised the chairman of the management board on 11th November, 1976, to have his architect prepare working drawngs. It is expected that the drawings will be completed in a few weeks. Then it will be necessary for the commissioners to obtain the permission of the Department of Education to authorise the invitation to tender.
I am thankful to the Parliamentary Secretary. Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that 1,200 students at present being transported out of that area would constitute justification for him to indicate to the builder that he should proceed with the completion of this school with all possible haste?
I do.