asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to give sanction for the extension to the girls' national school, Crossmolina, County Mayo in charge of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary in view of the fact that 29 children are catered for in the GAA clubroom at present and that 70 to 75 children between 4 and 5 years of age will not be taken next year because of space shortage; if this school is on the priority list; whether plans are officially sanctioned; and what percentage the Department pays towards the cost of building.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo School.
15.
A grant has been sanctioned towards the cost of providing two additional classrooms and a general purposes room at this school. The plans and specification are being prepared and it is expected that tenders can be invited within the next two months.
The grant payable in individual cases is settled between the Department of Education and the manager, and it is not the practice to disclose details.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if this work is not got under way in the next few months the children—75 of them—will not have accommodation next year? Has sanction been given?
There was a planning difficulty in relation to this school. It is a restricted site and there are differences in levels and, as I say, it presented a difficult planning problem. The architect is working on the preparation of plans and specifications and he expects to have them ready in six to eight weeks time. At that stage we will immediately go to tender. There will be no delay. The Department is anxious that the scheme will be proceeded with as quickly as possible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the parish priest has allocated a portion of ground for this purpose and will this be taken into consideration as part of the contribution?
I am afraid that is a matter for the Minister for Education, not for the Office of Public Works.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any decision that the work will be started before 1st September?
Yes. I should like to make this clear, that the Minister has given the Office of Public Works a direction that this is to be one of the cases to be started during the current financial year and we intend to do it.
Supposing the cement strike continues, what will happen?
You will want a lot of cement tonight.