Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1988

Vol. 377 No. 8

Written Answers. - Rathcoole Dublin, Recreation Facilities.

18.

Miss Harney

asked the Minister for Education the reason the sports hall has not been built at Rathcoole community school, County Dublin, given that the tender inviting submission for the construction of this facility was advertised in 1985; the reason she recently sanctioned the provision of such a hall for Portmarnock community school, County Dublin given that there is a sports complex close to this school already provided at substantial cost to the taxpayer; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

106.

Mr. Taylor

asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding approval given for a sports hall for Portmarnock, County Dublin indicating when approval was first given for this application; and the reason that approval was given for this particular sports hall in this particular school rather than for any other school in County Dublin, many of which had applications in for a much longer period.

107.

Mr. Taylor

asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding the provision of a sports hall for the Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, County Dublin indicating when departmental approval was given for this sports hall; and when construction is likely to commence.

112.

Tomás Mac Giolla

asked the Minister for Education the reason the proposed sports gym for the Holy Family community school, Rathcoole, County Dublin, for which approval was given in 1985 and for which it was indicated at that time that tender would be sought, has not yet been proceeded with; when construction will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 106, 107 and 112 together.

Approval was first given for the construction of a physical education hall at Portmarnock community school in 1985. I am not aware of the then Minister's precise reasons for this particular approval. Portmarnock physical education hall was one of a number of such halls approved at that time with the intention of commencing construction in 1986. Capital resources, as well as other considerations did not allow the programme to proceed as envisaged.

Approval in respect of the provision of a physical educational hall for Rathcoole was given in July 1984. I am not in a position to indicate at this stage when construction work will commence in this case. This will depend on the availability of capital resources and on my Department's other commitments and priorities.