asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) the number of schools considered unfit for occupation in 1957, (b) the average number of schools built in each of the years 1947 to 1956, and (c) the number of years which it is estimated will be needed at present replacement rates to replace the school buildings considered unfit for habitation in the year 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National School Buildings.
Mr. Lynch
There were, in December, 1957, 821 schools which it was considered were defective in various respects and should be replaced by new schools. Grants had been sanctioned by my Department for the erection of 136 of the required new buildings. The cases of those 821 defective schools are of varying degrees of urgency. Conditions in some of the schools are such that there is pressing need for the erection of new schools. In others the need for replacement is not so urgent. The number of existing schools which could be considered to be actually unfit for occupation would be very small.
The total number of new schools completed in the years from 1947 to 1956 was 435.
If the present rate of school building is maintained, a period of at least 15 years will be required to provide new schools in all the cases where existing schools are regarded as in need of replacement. As the Deputy was informed in reply to his previous question on 1st May, 1957, there are, however, a number of factors, financial and other, which make it impossible for me to say, with any degree of accuracy, when all the new schools which are required will be provided. The Deputy may rest assured that every effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to achieve that position.