asked the Minister for Education what plans he has for the establishment of a college of physical education for men teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Education College.
54.
It has been decided to establish a National College of Physical Education in Limerick which will cater for both men and women students. Planning arrangements are being geared towards having the college in operation in a few years.
Negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition of a suitable site and I have recently appointed a specialist in physical education as adviser/consultant in connection with the educational planning of the college.
A notice will appear in the public press shortly inviting firms or individuals who wish to be considered for appointment as architects to the college to apply to my Department.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary be a little more precise regarding the time period? He mentioned a few years.
Our programme is geared so that the college will be open in 1972, subject to other matters. This will fit in with the students who are at present taking this key course in St. Mary's in Twickenham. An agreement has been reached with St. Mary's in Twickenham that we will not be requiring further facilities from them after 1972.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that an advertisement will appear inviting people who wish to be considered for appointment as architects to apply. Will the architects be selected from the people who apply or will there be a competition?
The Deputy will appreciate that it is very important that this should be done quickly and I was hoping as far as the appointment of architects is concerned that it would be done by the end of September. It is not intended to appoint anyone other than the person who seems to be best qualified.
That could be a number of people.
If a competition were held it would delay the appointment. It was open to me to make an appointment without even advertising.
I know that.
I thought that would be more appropriate. I am concerned that it should be done quickly.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary made any provisional arrangements for the other students who are already participating in the three-year courses in Strawberry Hill? How many students will the new college facilitate?
That is a separate question.
As I implied in one of my earlier replies, it is intended that the students will not continue in Strawberry Hill beyond 1972. Those who went last year will do their last year in the new college. Those who go this year will do their last two years in the new college and those who go next year will do only one year there. It is envisaged that the total accommodation will be of the order of an annual intake of about 60 or 70.