asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the building of the proposed new national school at Coole, County Westmeath; and what is the present position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath School.
43.
A grant has been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of a new school at Coole, County Westmeath, and the arrangements for the erection of the school have been brought to an advanced stage. In view, however, of the large number of projects already in hands for the building of new schools and the improvement and extension of existing schools, it is necessary to proceed with the various cases in order of priority.
In connection with the determination of the order of urgency, the case of Coole national school is among those which are being kept under continuous review. There will be no avoidable delay in allowing it to proceed to building.
Could the Minister give any indication of when he will make a decision or where this is in the list of priorities?
No, at this stage I could not indicate when work might commence.
Could the Minister say one year, or two years or three years?
It would not be possible to indicate any time at this stage.
Depending on the financial position?
No.
There seems to be a hole in the bucket.
The Deputy should know that there will almost certainly be more school places provided in the new financial year than ever before.
There were very few built from 1956 to——
There was a record number of schools and places provided in the financial year just ending.
The Fianna Fáil axe has fallen on houses, schools, the Garda Band, the FCA and everything else.