Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Loughrea (Galway) School.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

89 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education the financial assistance, if any, she will approve for Loughrea Vocational School, County Galway, for the provision of extra classroom space and a modern gymnasium; if her attention has been drawn to the already overcrowded conditions in the school due to vastly increased numbers over the past few years; if her attention has further been drawn to the efforts of the parents committee to raise funds to part finance the project, and to the fact that the facilities will be available to the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

A request has been received for grant aid towards the cost of extra classroom space and a modern gymnasium at Loughrea vocational school. My Department is awaiting additional information from the vocational education committee in relation to the additional classroom space and a decision will be made when this information has been received.

Due to demands on the capital resources available, priority has been given for some time to the provision of essential teaching spaces. As a result, it is not possible to make funding available at this stage for the provision of physicial education facilities at the school in question. However, physical education facilities are provided in all major new school developments.

The provision of indoor sports accommodation in existing schools, in the form of a general purpose area at primary level and a hall at secondary level will resume as soon as pressure on available resources for urgent classroom accommodation has eased. In the meantime, additional emphasis is being placed on the adjacent siting and common use of school and community recreational facilities and schools should make maximum use of other sports facilities in their area.