asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to Killasanna national school (14300), County Longford (a) the steps he is taking to ensure that the work on this school is done to the satisfaction of the board of management; and (b) when new furniture will be supplied and the reasons for the delay to date.
Written Answers. - County Longford National Schools.
457.
My Department sanctioned a grant towards the cost of a scheme of improvements at this school and all arrangements for carrying out the scheme, including its satisfactory completion, were a matter for the chairman in consultation with the Commissioners of Public Works. It is understood that the Commissioners are awaiting a final account from the Chairman in respect of further works carried out.
With regard to the question of providing furniture at this school, the matter is under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the chairman of the board of management as soon as possible.
458.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to Granard boys national school (13963), County Longford (a) when a grant will be made towards a temporary classroom; (b) if he proposes to sanction a permanent classroom for remedial teaching and also a general purposes room and, if not, the reason; (c) if he is aware that an oilfired central heating system is urgently required and if he will sanction it immediately; and (d) if he will provide funds for the removal of disused outdoor toilets and thereby provide much needed extra play space.
With regard to item (a) mentioned in the question, it is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that payment of a grant for a prefabricated room for use as a classroom at Granard boys' national school will be made at an early date.
Pending the completion of discussions with the chairman of the board of management, I would not consider it appropriate to offer observations in relation to the items (b), (c) and (d) of the question.
459.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to Killeen national school (13752), County Longford (a) the reason mains water has not been supplied as promised; (b) when the grant for washhand basins will be paid; and (c) if he will sanction the reconstruction of a shelter.
(a) It is understood that a scheme is being undertaken by Longford County Council for providing a piped water supply to Killeen national school as part of a group water scheme. (b) The question of a grant for washhand basins has been referred to the Commissioners of Public Works for a report and recommendation. (c) There are no funds available to my Department from which a grant can be sanctioned for a shelter at national schools as it is no longer policy to provide such facilities.
460.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to Granard girls' national school (13846), County Longford (a) the reason sanction for a shelter has been refused; and (b) if he will sanction an extra classroom for use for remedial teaching and, if not, the reason.
Application has not been made for the provision of a shelter at Granard girls' national school, County Longford. However, there are no funds at the disposal of my Department for grant-aiding shelters, the provision of which was discontinued some years ago when the planning data was revised to allow for the provision of general purposes rooms.
With regard to accommodation for remedial teaching, the provision of an extra permanent classroom solely for the purpose of remedial teaching would not be warranted, as the service is part-time and caters for only a small number of pupils. My Department propose to investigate the accommodation needs of remedial teaching in this school in the light of such ancillary accommodation as the school may use for this purpose.
461.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to Bunlahy national school (12736), County Longford: (a) when the final instalment of a grant towards a toilet block will be paid; (b) when a new heating system will be approved; and (c) when sanction for increased play space and tarmacadaming will be given.
It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that payment of the final instalment of the grant towards the provision of a new toilet block at Bunlahy national school, County Longford, was made in January of this year.
The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked for reports and recommendations on the provision of a heating system and the provision of tarmacadam play space at the school.
When the reports have been received and examined the question of grants will be considered.