(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in establishing a new Protestant central school in the former vocational school at Cootehill, County Cavan as arranged; if he will have the necessary repairs and renovations completed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cootehill (Cavan) New Central School.
17.
There has been no avoidable delay in this case. It had originally been proposed to amalgamate five schools into the central school in Cootehill. After I took office in 1977, I authorised the acquisition of the old vocational school for use as the central school to cater for the amalgamation of Darley, Cootehill and Garvagh national schools. It is necessary to carry out adaptation works to the vocational school and in February 1980 I approved the sketch plans prepared by the Reverend Chairman's architect. In July 1980 I sanctioned a grant towards the cost of the scheme.
I have kept in close personal contact with all stages of this project and have been regularly in touch with the school authorities in the matter. In March this year I authorised the invitation of tenders for the scheme and this is presently being dealt with by the Reverend Chairman's architect, in consultation with the Commissioners of Public Works.
Consideration of the tenders is a matter in the first instance for the Commissioners of Public Works who are my Department's technical advisers in matters relating to primary school building and they have been asked to deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible. I can assure the Deputy, as I have assured the Reverend Chairman, that it is my firm intention that the building work will commence immediately on the completion of the planning stages.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am sorry I was not here for the beginning of the Minister's reply. Could he tell us when this vocational school was first made available for the purposes of a central school?
In 1977 I provided the money for the acquisition of the school. At that time, as the Deputy knows, there were five schools which were supposed to be amalgamated into one school in Cootehill. Two of the schools felt they could not go along with that suggestion. We replanned for three schools and three schools will now be incorporated.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister tell us when he replanned for three schools?
I approved the sketch plan in February of last year.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The feeling is that it has taken a long time to get the comparatively small amount of work done on the school which is necessary to make it suitable as a central school and that there is a very bad need for it. Would the Minister agree with all that?
Knowing our joint interest in having it done as quickly as possible I have taken a personal interest in it. I know the Reverend Pickering who was there has been transferred to somewhere in Armagh. I have written to him there to try and have it expedited as much as possible. I can assure the Deputy that there will be no delay.
(Cavan-Monaghan): In view of the Minister's assurance that he has been giving it special attention since the beginning, would he not agree that his best efforts have not borne much fruit?
I would not say so. I do not think the board of management think that either from the letters they have written to me. I think they are quite pleased.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I can tell the Minister that there is considerable disappointment. I am glad we now have an assurance that it will go ahead.
I would hope that all Members of the House would have the same personal interest as the Minister in the affairs of their schools.
Questions Nos. 18 and 19 are withdrawn.