andJack Lynch asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the St. Patrick's Girls' National School in Cork is in a dangerous condition, and, if so, if he will state what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in connection with its reconstruction, or whether he proposes to provide a new school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork City Schools.
I am aware that the existing St. Patrick's Girls' and Infants' National School premises, Cork, are defective, but I have no information that they are in a dangerous condition.
My Department has now sanctioned a grant towards the cost of the erection of new schools to replace these schools. The preparation of working drawings and a specification for the new schools is being attended to by the reverend manager's architects and it is expected that they will be completed at an early date. When they are available it will be necessary to have bills of quantities prepared before tenders for the erection of the schools can be invited. Every effort will be made to have these matters expedited.
andJack Lynch asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the ever increasing population of the Model Farm Road district, Cork, and if he will state if he has any proposals under consideration for the provision of a national school in this district, and, if so, the nature of such proposals.
In view of the considerable increase in the school-going population in the area, due to housing developments, and on the recommendation of the local committee representative of the various interests concerned, my Department has approved of the erection of a new school for infant boys and girls at Bishopstown, to the south of Model Farm Road.
The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to furnish a report on the site which has been offered for the new school and, if the site is considered suitable, to prepare sketch plans and to give an estimate of the cost of the schools. I understand that, from a preliminary inspection which has been made, the site appears to be suitable.
When the report from the commissioners is received my Department will communicate with the reverend manager in regard to the remaining preliminary arrangements which will have to be made before a grant towards the cost of the new school can be sanctioned.
Could the Minister give any indication at this stage as to how long these matters will take?
No. The question here is not a very urgent one as the children are being dealt with in the Glasheen Schools.
Which is very overcrowded at the moment.
There are arrangements made for extending both the boys' and the girls' schools in Glasheen but among the various problems in Cork this is not regarded as urgent. However, all the necessary steps will be taken to expedite the matter as far as possible.
andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Education if he will state what progress has been made with the building of new schools in the Ballyphehane area of Cork City.
It is proposed to erect new schools for infants and for senior girls and boys in the Ballyphehane area of Cork City.
A suitable site has been offered for the infants' and senior girls' schools and the arrangements which are a necessary preliminary to the sanction of a grant by my Department towards the cost of the schools have been completed, except that documentary evidence of title to the site is not yet forthcoming. This evidence will require to be furnished by the reverend manager in order to enable the premises to be vested in trustees by a lease in the official form. I understand that the procedure involved in connection with the production of evidence of title will be somewhat protracted, but every effort is being made to have the matter completed as expeditiously as possible. As soon as satisfactory proof of title has been produced my Department will sanction a grant towards the cost of the new schools.
A suitable site has also been offered for the proposed new senior boys' school. Sketch plans of the school are being prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works. When these are available it will be necessary to complete certain other preliminary arrangements before a grant can be sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of the school, but the case will have all possible attention.
andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Education if he will state (1) whether a site has been obtained for the proposed new school in the Mayfield area of Cork City, and, if so, when, and (2) what progress has been made with the building thereof.
It was originally proposed to erect new schools for boys, girls and infants to replace the present Angel Guardian's National School in the Mayfield area of Cork City. Owing to the increased attendance, however, and the necessity for providing additional permanent accommodation as soon as possible, the question of the utilisation of the present Angel Guardian's National School for the accommodation of senior boys for some years longer and of the provision on a new site of a new school for senior girls and for infant boys and girls only is at present being actively examined. If it is found that a solution on these lines would be feasible my Department will take up with the reverend manager the matter of the preliminary arrangements to be made in order to enable a new school for girls and infants to be erected as soon as possible.
I am informed that a site for new school premises was obtained in the Mayfield area some time ago. This site would not, however, be sufficiently large for a new girls' and infants' school of the size now required and it would be necessary for the reverend manager to acquire additional ground for inclusion in the site if such a school is to be provided.