James McDaid
Question:34 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Education the current situation regarding the vocational education school in Milford, County Donegal. [2215/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milford (Donegal) School.
I have approved the provision of a new vocational school in Milford. The first two stages of the architectural planning and design process have been completed and my Department received a developed sketch scheme under stage 111 of the architectural planning process on 1 February. This submission is currently being examined by the technical staff in my Department. On completion of this evaluation my Department will be in contact with County Donegal Vocational Education Committee.
The Minister is aware of the appalling conditions in the vocational school in Milford. Deputations have visited various Ministers concerning that school, which is commonly known as a cardboard jungle because of the number of prefabricated buildings. Given that the architect's report has been issued to the Department, what is the current hold-up with the work? It is important that it is carried out as quickly as possible. Is the Minister aware of any problem with the architectural plans that issued to her Department? If they are in order, when will it be possible to send the contract to tender?
I received from the community in Milford very good photographic evidence of the condition of the school. For many years Ministers met deputations from Donegal about this matter. I was delighted to be the Minister who in early 1994 agreed that the problem should be resolved. I agreed to the building of a replacement vocational school for 500 pupils and that the Loreto College would be redesignated as a community school, possibly within this year. The sketch has been sent to the technical staff whose job it is to inform the Department of problems, but I have not been alerted of any such problems. Earlier problems involving cost limits and submissions were ironed out. I expect that within the next month or two a full report will be available and if there are any problems we will revert to Donegal vocational education committee.
The work was approved by Deputy Brennan during his tenure as Minister for Education, but the present Minister did not proceed with it. I will not, however, play politics with the issue. I am happy the problem is being resolved and I urge the Minister to proceed with the matter as soon as possible.
Will the Minister confirm that she will announce funding for this project on her proposed visit to Milford on 8 March?
If I had access to the lottery fund, I could not announce details of this project until all stages of it had been completed.
And the by-election date is set.