Vol. 411 No. 1
651 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if there are sufficient funds available to enable her to authorise the board of management of a national school (details supplied) in Dublin 6 to go out to tender as they have been ready to do so for some months; when she proposes to authorise this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
652 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an enormous demand from parents for places in a national school (details supplied) in Dublin 6, notwithstanding the availability of other national school places in this area; if, having regard to the nature of this demand, she will now sanction the request from the board of management of this school to proceed with this tender with their proposals for a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
653 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that a national school (details supplied) in Dublin 6 has (1) obtained planning permission for a new six classroom replacement building, (2) raised the necessary local financial contributions from parents and friends and (3) been refused permission by her Department to go to tender since earlier this year and has still not been given the go ahead to go to tender in 1991 and that such a refusal, which is because of an oversupply of primary school places in the area, constitutes an act of administrative discrimination by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 651, 652 and 653 together.
Tender documents for the national school project referred to by the Deputy have been completed as have all the other planning requirements. The question of the invitation of tenders is being considered in the context of the available capital and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities in this regard at the earliest possible date.
I wish to state categorically that the only factor which will influence the question of the invitation of tenders for this project is the availability of capital and this has been explained to the school authorities on many occasions.
I recently had a meeting with the school authorities and I indicated that I would organise a further meeting when the financial position was clarified.
