Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 4

Written Answers. - County Tipperary School Extension.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

245 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education when an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be sanctioned in view of (1) overcrowding (2) the school's inability to accept all students who wish to attend and (3) the fact that the present conditions and facilities in the school are totally inadequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

My Department's main responsibility in the matter of the provision of school accommodation is to ensure that in any given centre there are sufficient post primary places overall to meet immediate and long term needs.

There are four post-primary schools in the centre concerned with accommodation for 2,150 pupils. There are 2,021 pupils attending these schools at present.

In this context and in the light of demographic trends, i.e., declining births, falling enrolments etc., it is considered that the provision of additional accommodation at any of the four post-primary schools would not be warranted.

With regard to conditions and facilities at the school in question, my Department have agreed to allow grant aid towards the cost of carrying out some remedial work to the building.