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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Facilities.

Noel Dempsey

Question:

31 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Education if she will reverse her policy of allowing the provision of general purpose rooms in new schools only. [4947/95]

I am anxious to extend the provision of general purposes facilities in primary schools as resources permit.

On my initiative last year, general purposes rooms were provided in new primary school building projects in respect of schools of four classrooms or more. This provision will be continued in respect of projects in the 1995 capital programme. In the case of expanding schools of four or more class teachers, where general purpose facilities already exist, additional classroom accommodation is being provided so that the use of the general purpose room as a classroom is not necessary. Also, in projects where a school currently has four class teachers but projected enrolments indicate that it will have three teachers in the long term, provision is made for a general purpose size classroom in addition to three permanent classrooms.

I am satisfied, therefore, that progress is being made towards the extension of these facilities generally. However, the pace at which the programme can be achieved is dictated by the financial resources available and the priority must remain the provision of essential classroom accommodation and the elimination of existing substandard classrooms. Regrettably therefore, it is not possible at present to provide grant-aid for general purpose rooms in existing schools.

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