Vol. 374 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to sanction a new primary school at Corracrin, Emyvale, County Monaghan; if her attention has been drawn to the serious and unhealthy condition of the existing school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
43.
asked the Minister for Education when she will sanction the placing of the contract for the extention to Corracrin national school, Emyvale, County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to deal with Questions Nos. 19 and 43 together.
There is a proposal to extend the national school building at Corracrin, County Monaghan, by the provision of a new classroom block of traditional construction. The existing school building is also to be refurbished. Tenders had been invited for the project by the school authorities, and recommendations submitted to my Department. Because, however, of prior commitments and the pressure which these commitments have placed on the capital resources available to my Department, it was not possible at the appropriate time to authorise the placing of a contract.
Corracrin is one of several national schools whose accommodation problems are particularly acute. These projects have been held up at the stage where in less difficult times they might have entertained reasonable hopes of having by now had their contracts placed. The school authorities in each case have made representations to me regarding their difficulties, and I have indicated that I am prepared to respond with short term relief in the way of grants for refurbishing existing accommodation or providing prefabricated classrooms as appropriate. I have also indicated that I would sympathetically respond to these schools' own initiatives for a solution to their difficulties provided that their proposals are reasonable and can be achieved at modest cost.
Discussions with the authorities of Corracrin national school regarding their difficulties have taken place, and I am hopeful that progress will be made at an early date towards a solution.
In the circumstances outlined I am not in a position at this stage to authorise the placing of a contract for the project as originally proposed.
