asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the statement by the president of the Irish National Teacher's Organisation (details supplied) that children are still being taught under deplorable conditions, he will make a statement on the number and extent of substandard primary schools throughout the country; whether the INTO have warned him of a withdrawal of service in such schools and, if so, the number and location of the schools concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Substandard Primary Schools.
57.
In so far as schemes of improvement are concerned, guidelines for the implementation of essential improvements, in respect of which grants would be paid, were issued to the chairmen of boards of management in August 1977 and were reissued in November 1980.
As to the condition of schools throughout the country, a pilot survey which seeks comprehensive data concerning school premises and grounds is under way at present and it is envisaged that the survey will be extended to all schools in the early part of this year. The data which will be available as a result of this survey will ensure more effective implementation of the guidelines already referred to.
In the matter of the provision of new school premises I may draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the allocation of money in subhead E of Vote 31—Primary Education—has been increased to £30 million in 1981.
Referring to the latter part of the question, has the Minister been warned by the INTO of a withdrawal of service in any school and, if so, what are the schools concerned?
No. We have an arrangement with the INTO of information flowing both ways in regard to the condition of schools. I can assure the Deputy that we pay particular attention to the views of teachers, who are the people on the ground, with relation to the condition of schools. I am very pleased, as I stated in my reply, that the allocation for the capital purposes of the Department in relation to primary education is so generous.
Would the Minister not agree that it is a deplorable state of affairs when the only way in which the INTO can actually secure essential repairs to some school buildings is to withdraw their labour, as has happened and, no doubt, will continue to happen until he gets things right?
The Deputy will be aware, and I am sure will be generous enough to admit, that I have made magnificent strides in this regard since I took up office.
Hear, hear.
Would the Minister answer the latter part of the question? We have been waiting to hear that answer and we have not heard it yet.
Is it to secure the Minister's basic plan?
Has the Minister had a withdrawal of services and, if so, the number and location of the schools? Would the Minister please answer that?
The answer is that we have a continual flow of information——
Never mind the flow of information. Answer the question.
I am answering the question and I am telling the Deputy that it should be on his conscience that in 1976, the last year in which he was in office, £10 million was all he provided for capital for primary schools.
Hear, hear.
I am providing £30 million today. If I were the Deputy I would keep my head low.
Would the Minister answer the question?
Inflation was not running so high then.
(Cavan-Monaghan): How does inflation compare now with 1976?
Ceist a 58.
The Minister is not willing to answer the question. He is afraid to answer it.
I am not. I have answered it.
He is afraid to answer it because the withdrawal of services has already taken place.