Vol. 537 No. 5
596 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the report of the consultant architect on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if so, if the report has been examined; if so, the action which is proposed on foot of the findings and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17244/01]
My Department has recently received a report from the consultant architect appointed to carry out an investigation of the school building referred to by the Deputy. This report will be examined by the technical staff of my Department and the board of management will be contacted as soon as possible.
597 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the dangerous conditions at the Gaelscoil, Upper Irishtown, Clonmel, County Tipperary; if his attention has further been drawn to the threatened industrial action by teachers at this school; the plans he has to ensure that a new site is found for the school and the building programme commenced without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17283/01]
My Department's building unit has been requested by the school authorities to grant-aid repair works to the roof of a building currently occupied by the Gaelscoil and to seek out a site for a new school.
The Gaelscoil entered into a lease arrangement, to which my Department is not a party, and this lease expires at the end of June 2001. The school authorities have already arranged for some works to be carried out to the roof of the building and my Department has agreed to grant-aid these works. However, my Department understands from the school that further repair works are necessary.
In that context, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has now arranged for a technical manager to visit the school to discuss with the school authorities the extent of the works to be carried out to the roof of the building.
While my Department is prepared to provide this funding and to give any technical assistance necessary, this can only be done in the context of a new lease being agreed between the school authorities and the landlord concerned for a period of five years.
