asked the Minister for Education what is the present position in regard to the proposal to erect a new school at Lifford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of New Schools.
A grant has been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of the provision of a new school at Lifford, County Donegal, and the arrangements for the erection of the school are in the hands of the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand from the commissioners that tenders for the work will be invited at an early date.
asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that a new school is urgently needed in Blanchardstown. County Dublin, and, if so, what is the cause of the delay in providing one, and if he will have the matter expedited.
I am aware of the urgent need for the replacement of the present national school at Blanchardstown, County Dublin, by a new school.
A grant has been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of the erection of a new school and the Commissioners of Public Works are having the necessary preliminary arrangements made in order to enable tenders to be invited. It will take some time to complete these arrangements, but every effort is being and will continue to be made to have the case expedited.
I am not aware that there has been any avoidable delay in dealing with the case.
asked the Minister for Education what is the cause of the delay in commencing work on the building of the new convent school in Finglas, County Dublin.
I assume that the Deputy refers to the proposed new schools for senior girls and infant boys and girls at Finglas West.
A grant towards the cost of the erection of these schools has now been sanctioned by my Department and the manager's architects are at present engaged in preparing working drawings and a specification for the scheme. When these are available it will be necessary to have bills of quantities prepared by a quantity surveyor before tenders can be invited. These arrangements will necessarily take some time to complete, but every effort will be made to have them dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
My Department has taken and will continue to take all possible action with a view to having these new schools provided, but certain difficulties which were encountered in connection with the provision of a site and the making of other essential preliminary arrangements retarded progress in the case.