asked the Minister for Education if he will state the number of national schools in need of (a) replacement, and (b) substantial repairs and renovation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Replacement and Repair of Schools.
I am advised that there are 821 national schools which require to be replaced by new schools. Grants have been sanctioned by my Department for the erection of new buildings in 136 of these cases.
I am also advised that there are 203 schools at which substantial schemes of alterations and renovations are required. Grants have been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of the necessary works in 69 of these cases.
Eighteen months ago— in July—the figure given was 822. It appears that the net gain in regard to the replacement of schools is one in 18 months. Is that correct?
The Deputy must remember that new schools requiring to be replaced were coming in all the time. They are reported upon by the inspectors in the Department.
The net gain is one. Therefore, it would take approximately 800 to 1,000 years to carry out replacements.
That is a completely fallacious deduction. There are, in fact, over 100 school buildings upon which work is proceeding at the present time.
At the present rate of progress, it will take 1,000 years to carry out replacements.
Work is being carried on in some of these schools.