Vol. 397 No. 10
87 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education when she proposes to pay outstanding moneys owed to the national school authorities in Rivermead, St. Margaret's, County Dublin, having regard to the fact that money is overdue by over one year.
The provision of a new national school at St. Margaret's, Toberburr, County Dublin was in the hands of an architect in private practice engaged by the school authorities. Though the building was completed in 1981, the school authorities were not in a position to submit the final building certificate until July 1989. The various accounts are now being examined with a view to paying the balance of grant due to the school authorities at the earliest possible date.
88 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education the average time of delay in finalising outstanding payments to national schools in County Dublin.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to final grant payments to national schools authorities in the case of projects where private consultants have been engaged. The examination of final accounts in cases like this is time consuming because of the technical and administrative complexities involved. I am unable, therfore, to answer precisely the question raised by the Deputy but every effort is made to carry out an initial examination of the accounts so that a substantial instalment of grants can be paid.
Every effort will be made to finalise the examination of outstanding accounts with a view to payment of the grant balances due.
