asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the urgent necessity to build a new vocational school in Kilcormac, County Offaly, she will immediately authorise building work to commence thereon; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the existing vocational school is comprised of prefabricated classrooms only and that a considerable number of these classrooms are unsuitable for pupils and teachers; in view of this, if she will give the matter her urgent attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Kilcormac, Offaly New School.
35.
I am well aware of the need for new buildings for this school. The estimated capital cost of the new school is £1.4 million.
The restriction on the relevant capital allocation, which the Government consider necessary under its programme for national recovery, does not allow expenditure commitments on any new building starts in the second-level building programme, apart from minor and emergency capital works, for the remainder of 1987 or in 1988. I am not in a position to say when there will be a financial capability within the relevant capital allocation to allow such expenditure commitments to be made, but when there is, I will give priority consideration to the possibility of allowing commencement of construction of this new school.