asked the Minister for Education the plans he has for the establishment of a teachers' centre in Cavan town.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Teachers' Centre.
24.
This matter is under consideration in the context of the needs of the existing centres and the other applications made for new centres.
I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.
Is the Minister aware that a very suitable location for the teachers' centre has been made available to a committee in Cavan town but that offer will not be open indefinitely?
I am aware that a suitable premises is available in Cavan town but not that the offer will not be open indefinitely. The Deputy will understand that we cannot meet all the demands for teachers' centres in any one year. Some form of list will have to be drawn up so that a certain number can be opened each year. The amount provided for this purpose in 1976 was £60,000 and a similar amount is provided this year. We will stretch that as far as possible.
Would the Minister accept that I telephoned the Bishop of Kilmore, Dr. McKiernan, and asked him if there was a danger that the offer of the location or building might be withdrawn and that he said there was a possibility if the matter hung fire much longer? Did officials of the Minister's Department go to Cavan town and encourage the committee to the extent that they thought that the provision of money for this teachers' centre was imminent?
I am not aware of that.