Vol. 480 No. 6
587 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education the progress to date on the provision of an extension to Ladywell Boys national school (details supplied) in Thomastown, County Kilkenny for which application for grant aid was made in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/97]
588 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education his Department's plans for the upgrading of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [14598/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 587 and 588 together.
A meeting was held in 1990 between representatives of the boys' school management and Department officials which discussed the school's long-term and short-term needs. The short-term needs were addressed by provision of some £ 42,000 grant-aid towards relatively minor improvement works in the period 1990-7. Grant-aid of some £ 14,000 was provided to the girl's school in the same period. Due to lack of available capital, it was not possible to undertake major building projects at either school.
I agree with the Deputy that the long-term requirements of both schools require to be addressed. My Department will be in touch with the school managements in this regard.
