asked the Minister for Education if he will include a sports hall for the vocational school at present being constructed at Thurles, County Tipperary on the national priority list.
Written Answers. - Vocational School Facilities.
293.
The request of the County Tipperary (NR) Vocational Education Committee for the construction of a physical education hall at Thurles vocational school has been noted for consideration. I am not yet in a position to say when it may be possible to approve the provision of a hall at this school.
294.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the need for physical educational facilities at the new technical school, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin and when it is proposed to provide the facilities,
295.
asked the Minister for Education if he has received representations from the Sports Council of the community college of the Borough of Dún Laoghaire Vocational Education Committee at Cumberland Street. Dún Laoghaire seeking an urgent decision from his Department in respect of a sports hall for this school; if he is aware that there are at present no sports facilities and no changing or shower facilities in this school which caters for a large catchment area of the Borough and of South County Dublin; the criteria applied by his Department for the provision of sports halls for such schools; if he is aware that although a hall was approved eleven years ago this school has yet to have this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
I am aware of the circumstances of the vocational school, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, in the matter of physical education facilities. These circumstances will be taken fully into account in connection with future decisions in relation to the selection of schools on a priority basis for physical education halls from a large number of applications. In so far as concerns a statement of the general criteria applied in making such selection of schools I would refer the Deputies to my statement in the course of my replies to supplementary questions on 13 December 1979 (Official Report volume 317 column 1738).
I am not in a position at this stage to make a more precise statement in relation to the application from Dún Laoghaire Vocational Education Committee for the provision of a physical education hall at the vocational school, Cumberland Street.