Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 10

Written Answers. - County Westmeath Schools Projects Funding.

Paul McGrath

Question:

160 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the amount of money overdue by (a) 3 months, (b) 6 months, (c) 9 months and (d) 12 months to parishes in County Westmeath, as her Department's contribution to completed capital expenditure projects in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

There are just two cases which can be encompassed by the Deputy's question. They involve projects where the school authorities engaged architects in private practice to design the buildings and supervise the contracts. Final accounts have been received in my Department from the schools' authorities and these are being examined with a view to paying to the schools' authorities the balance of grant due.

No further claims are outstanding within my Department. However, I have asked officials within my Department's primary buildings branch to contact the Office of Public Works to establish if there are any outstanding inspections to be carried out on school building projects or improvement works which have been completed. It is the Office of Public Works which certifies that works have been completed satisfactorily before my Department can arrange to have payments made.