asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that national schools in the Kilbegnet and Creggs area, County Galway, where central heating was installed on the instruction of his Department have as yet received no grants for these works; and if payment will be made without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Schools.
30.
The arrangements for the installation of heating in these two schools were made by the manager. An instalment of the grant has been paid to him and he was advised that both installations required alterations before they could be approved and the balance of the grant paid. The Commissioners of Public Works have been awaiting notification that these alterations have been made and a statement of the expenditure incurred.
I have arranged for an inspector to call on the manager this week to get the matter cleared up.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state when the first part of the grant was paid?
In February, 1969.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell me the reason for the delay in payment of the remainder of the grant?
It is because the school manager has not carried out directions to ensure that the heaters are safe. When the school manager carries out the alterations we have asked him to do we will pay the balance of the grant.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary state clearly what are the alterations involved?
I could not state clearly. I know that in the case of Kilbegnet the heater installed on the first floor constitutes a fire hazard and something will have to be done about it very soon.
I should like to inform the Parliamentary Secretary that the heaters were installed to the specification of the Department. It appears to me that there is a shortage of money in the Department and that is the reason for failure to pay the grant.
We will pay the grant when the work is done.
I am calling Question No. 31.
The Department are holding up payment of this grant on a technicality——
When the school manager carries out the alterations to the satisfaction of the Office of Public Works the grant will be paid in full. The matter now rests with him, not with us.
Question No. 31.