asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the need to carry out necessary repairs to St. John's girls school, Ballybrack, County Dublin; the action, if any, she intends taking in the manner of the treatment of the school authorities and the local clergy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballybrack, Dublin School.
4.
My Department have dealt with an application from the authorities of St. John's Girls' national school, Ballybrack, County Dublin for a grant towards the cost of certain improvements to the school building, which comprises eight classrooms and a general purposes area. The structure is a system-built one, dating from the seventies. Following complaints about the condition of the building the school was authorised on 27 February last to engage an engineer to report on the structure. The conclusions of the engineer, a copy of whose report was furnished to my Department, were that the building was in reasonably sound condition but that certain improvements were required. Following consultation with their own professional advisers, my Department on 17 November last sanctioned a grant towards the cost of carrying out works to the roof and panelling of the school building. A grant had earlier been sanctioned towards the cost of improvements which the school authorities themselves had carried out by way of interim measures while the main investigations were in hands. It is understood that preparations are now in hands locally to have the work the subject of the later grant carried out.
I am unable to comment on the Deputy's reference to the manner of treatment of the school authorities and the local clergy. Should the Deputy be aware of a complaint that the service which my Department's officers or agents provided to the school was less than satisfactory, I would be prepared, on the Deputy's providing details, to have this aspect of the matter investigated and to communicate further with him.