asked the Minister for Education when her Department will sanction the commencement of building of a gymnasium at Pobalscoil Neasain, Baldoyle, Dublin 13; the plans her Department have for the provision of playing pitches adjacent to this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Baldoyle (Dublin) School Gymnasium.
10.
It is intended to provide a physical education hall at Pobalscoil Neasain, Baldoyle, Dublin. It is not possible at this stage to say when construction will be commenced. The time-scale for the provision of the hall will be reviewed in the light of other commitments and priorities when the capital allocation for 1985 is known.
The development of playing fields on the school site is a matter for the board of management in the first instance. My Department would consider sympathetically any proposal in this regard from the board.
Is the Minister stating that a decision has been made to provide a sports hall or physical education facilities in this school? Is so, when was the decision taken?
It has been agreed in the Department to provide a physical education hall for this school.
Have the school authorities and the management been notified to this effect?
I understand they have been notified.
How recently?
I cannot give the date. It is not in my brief. It is intended to provide a physical education hall of 394 square metres plus changing rooms and showers of 104 square metres at the earliest possible date. Standard plans for physical education halls of various sizes, including that proposed for Baldoyle, have been prepared by the Department's consultants. The time-scale for the provision of the hall will, however, depend on the availability of capital and the Department's other commitments and priorities. As this school is rapidly building up to full enrolment it would be regarded as having a high priority in the Department.
I am glad it has a high priority but I would ask the Minister to be a little more precise. Is it likely that building will commence in 1984?
The time-scale for the provision of the hall will be reviewed in the light of other commitments and priorities when the capital allocation for 1985 is known.
Will the Minister seek the necessary allocation in 1985 for this project?
This project will be reviewed in the autumn when the allocation for 1985 is known. It will be looked at sympathetically because it has a high priority. I could not give any further commitment.
This is a very big school in an expanding area with a young population and the facilities are inadequate. It is the only community or comprehensive school on the north side of the city without either a sports hall or playing fields.
I am sorry, Deputy. I cannot allow a long statement.
Will the Minister make a special provision to enable the school authorities to develop playing fields? They have a site but it cannot be developed.
The development of playing fields is a matter for the school authorities. The Department are prepared to consider any proposals which the school may wish to make and to provide a grant of up to £10,000 towards the cost of approved proposals.
Was a submission made to the Department in relation to the need for these facilities?
I am not so aware. I have not that information.