I propose to deal with Questions Nos. 6, 49 and 52 together.
There is a proposal to replace the national school building at Whitechurch, County Dublin, with a new building of traditional construction. Tenders had been invited for the project by school authorities and recommendations submitted to my Department. However, because of prior commitments and the pressure which these commitments placed on the capital resources available to my Department, it was not possible at the appropriate time to authorise the placing of a contract.
Whitechurch 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 the authorities might have entertained reasonable hopes of having by now had their contracts placed. These authorities have in each case 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 those schools' own initiatives for a solution to their difficulties provided their proposals are reasonable and can be achieved at modest cost. Discussions with the authorities of Whitechurch national school are proceeding and I am hopeful of a satisfactory outcome in due course.
In the circumstances outlined I am not in a position at this stage to give the decision, commitment or authorisation which the Deputies seek.