Vol. 473 No. 5
123 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the reason Scoil Ide and Scoil Fhursa, Kilmore West, Coolock, Dublin 5, closed their schools earlier than expected prior to Christmas, 1996; if her attention has been drawn to the disappointment to many pupils due to the fact that the normal seasonal activities that would have been held could not go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1860/97]
124 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the schools in Dublin 1, 3, 5 and 9 which have been forced to close and deny pupils their educational rights pending a decision by her Department regarding necessary repairs/ maintenance works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1861/97]
125 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the the heating system in Scoil Fhursa and Scoil Ide, Kilmore West, Coolock, Dublin 5; if she is satisfied with the existing system; if not, whether a timescale and arrangements will be put in place for an appropriate system, without loss of education to the school pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1862/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 124 and 125 together.
I am not satisfied with the condition of the heating system at Scoil Fhursa and Scoil Ide. I am aware of the heating problems and that the schools closed earlier than expected before Christmas. I am aware also that repairs were carried out to the system over the Christmas period.
The long-term solution to the problem is the complete replacement of the systems at an estimated cost of £250,000. The project, which will have to be carried out during a summer holiday period, is one of a number of urgent projects being considered for funding in 1997. The Deputy will be aware that there were major cuts in the capital funding of primary schools in the 1988-92 period. These cuts have caused a significant backlog of urgent projects. I am determined to continue the progress made since 1993 in addressing this backlog.
My Department's records of school closures are maintained on a school roll number basis. Hence it would be difficult to identify closures on a geographical basis. The Deputy will appreciate that as there are some 4,000 schools at primary and post-primary level, I could not justify assigning scarce staff resources to compilation of the information on a geographical basis. Apart from Scoil Ide and Scoil Fhursa, I am aware that Greendale Community School closed recently for a number of days for urgent repairs to its heating system. I understand this work is now completed. Finally, the issue of maintenance is a matter for individual school boards of management.
