asked the Minister for Education the situation in regard to substandard national schools; the number and location of such schools; and the steps he has taken to rectify the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Substandard National Schools.
26.
I would refer to my reply on 9 April 1981 to Question No. 122 in which I listed various schools at which remedial works had been authorised. The schools in question were Mín Tine Dé, Niall Mór, Brackey, Cashel and Donaghmore in County Donegal; Portmagee, Kilgobnet, and Gap of Dungloe in County Kerry; Inagh, County Clare; Kilmore-Ennis, County Mayo; St. Loman's Special School, County Dublin; Shillelagh, County Wicklow; Templeboy, County Sligo and Knockaney, County Limerick.
I also wish to reiterate my statement of 21 April last at the Annual Congress of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation that it was my objective to ensure that all school buildings were of an adequate standard and that comfortable circumstances and amenities, conducive to learning, are available to all our children. I also referred to having a re-examination undertaken of the terms of the circular concerning improvements in one- and two-teacher schools so as to ensure immediate sanction for necessary minor works, the simplification of procedure attached to the payment of grants and the application of the terms of the circular to all schools where essential improvements which were not of a major or structural nature had to be carried out. This re-examination is under way at present with a view to having essential remedial work done during the summer holidays.
Is the Minister aware of at least three schools which hit the national papers because there were very serious problems of rodent infestation and substandard conditions? In my constituency there is at least one national school, Fennor, which requires an urgent extension or remedial works. Could the Minister tell me what consultations he has entered into with the INTO with regard to the number of substandard schools? Would he further confirm his commitment to ensure that all substandard schools will be examined and steps taken to ensure that by next September they will be up to standard, especially the one- and two-teacher schools?
I can assure the Deputy that representations from boards of management, the INTO and Deputies, including Deputy Collins, will be attended to and the schools will be put in order for the academic year 1981-82.
How many substandard national schools are there?
I could not give that information here and now, but we have a good idea and we will have an exact idea when we finish our re-examination.
Do I understand the Minister to say a survey is being carried out to find out how many substandard national schools there are?
Yes.
Would the Minister commit himself to developing and implementing a system of enforcement so that substandard schools will not become just a number on a list, but that something will actually be done about them?
Something will actually be done about them.
Will the Minister introduce a system of enforcement? The Minister nods yes, and I am delighted to see that.
I am pleased to note what the Minister said. Does he recollect that I raised on the adjournment about 18 months ago the question of substandard primary schools? In his reply he then indicated that a survey was being carried out into the number of substandard schools. I do not know what the Department are doing, but it seems that 18 months should be sufficient time to establish quite clearly the number and location of such substandard schools. Could the Minister give the number and location of such schools as soon as possible? I asked for this information in my question but the Minister did not allude to it, except for naming about ten such schools.
I do not know if the people from the areas I mentioned would regard this as a minor detail, but I want to assure the House that the Government have made available to me a sum of money for building new, extending old and reconstructing substandard national schools this year. This means that anything that comes to us will be cleared.
Why then are the INTO so perturbed about this situation?
The INTO are quite satisfied to accept my assurances on the matter.
They are not.
The Deputy was not there to see the reception I got.
I am in touch with them——
(Interruptions.)
I am very concerned about the school in Inishannon where tenders were submitted last December. I want the Minister to explain why there is a hold up in issuing the tenders. Is it because there is no money?
Offhand I cannot tell the Deputy. Deputy O'Keeffe and Deputy Walsh were in touch with me about this school——
Will the work be started straight away?
Question No. 27.
The Minister is washing his hands of responsibility.
My hands are perfectly clean.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies have been abusing Pontius Pilate before now and I had to establish him as a saint in the Coptic Church.