asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the long delay in placing the contract for the erection of the new St. Fintan's primary school at Carrickbrack Road, Sutton, Dublin and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sutton (Dublin) School.
9.
Tenders for the erection of the new St. Fintan's primary school at Carrickbrack Road, Sutton, Dublin have been received by the Commissioners of Public Works and are at present being considered. The normal procedure is being followed in this regard.
Is the Minister aware of the report submitted to the Department of Education by the divisional inspector regarding the conditions under which both children and teachers are presently working in the temporary school at Burrow Road? Would he have remedial repairs done on the outside while we are awaiting the new school which is to be built?
I am aware that the conditions which obtain in the existing school are not desirable. Arising out of the Deputy's suggestion I will have an inspector examine the school with a view to giving what help we can in the meantime. The Deputy will be aware that there was considerable difficulty in getting the site for this school. The Deputy knows that a site was offered by a person who then went back on the offer and then the size of the school was changed. It was thought at one stage that an eight-classroom school would be sufficient. Now there is a decision for a 12-classroom school. There was a good deal of delay because of that in regard to planning permission, changing of the site, the size of the school and so on. The Department of Education are working with all possible speed and I will take up the suggestion of the Deputy with the Department.
I appreciate that. It was promised that the school would be ready in 1980. Would the Minister now care to tell me when he thinks the school will be ready to take pupils?
Even though it is Cheltenham week I am not in the business of guessing beforehand.
The Minister should know.