asked the Minister for Education when work will proceed on the major expansion of Williamstown national school, County Galway; the schedule of proposed accommodation; and the percentage of local contribution required by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Williamstown, County Galway National School.
20.
My Department have agreed to grant aid an extension to Williamstown national school, County Galway, which will contain two new classrooms, a general purposes room, a teachers' room, a library-medical inspection room, a servery and stores. The existing school is to be converted so as to provide four standard classrooms and the overall accommodation will be six classrooms.
The tender documentation for the project has been prepared and the question of the invitation of tenders will arise for consideration in the context of the 1987 capital allocation to my Department for national schools building which has not yet been determined. I am not, therefore, in a position to say when building works may proceed.
It is not my Department's practice to divulge the level of local contribution in an individual school case because of the bond of confidentiality in these matters between my Department and individual school authorities.
Would the Minister consider allowing this project to go to tender immediately because there is a need for this accommodation in the Williamstown area where they are working under very difficult conditions? In relation to budgetary matters before tenders are examined and bond obtained, the project would not be able to go ahead until 1987 but a certain amount of the preliminary work could now proceed. This could mean that the job should be completed in perhaps the next 18 months.
The Deputy is correct when he says the project will start in 1987. As the budgetary discussions are under way the position will become clear in a matter of weeks. With regard to the possible date for the placing of tenders, this is one of a large number of cases where tenders can be considered.
I appeal to the Minister to allow the project to go to tender at this stage because this is a very cumbersome and slow process. Funds will have to be made available for this project, irrespective of the budgetary position in 1987. I am very anxious that this work will be started, and I will be in the next Government to ensure that funds will be available for this project.
Not as Minister for Education.
Does the Deputy want to give a specific commitment on that?
Yes, I give a full commitment that this project will go ahead.
I have probably a longer connection with Williamstown than the Deputy, and it will receive proper consideration in the context of cases being released to tender.
The Minister has not shown his great commitment to Williamstown by the delay in allowing this project to go ahead.