(Cavan) asked the Minister for Education if he will explain the delay in giving County Cavan Vocational Education Committee authority to proceed with the erection of a vocational school at Tullymongan, Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan Vocational Estate.
44.
The delay is due to difficulties regarding the siting of the school. County Cavan Vocational Education Committee wishes to build on a site which has been acquired at Tullymongan; my Department considers that in order to facilitate co-operation between the two schools, the new vocational school should be built beside the existing boys' secondary school where, I understand, a suitable site is available for purchase by the committee.
(Cavan): Would the Minister agree that in 1946 a site at Tullymongan was acquired from Cavan UDC and that in 1967 the Minister's Department approved of the purchase of this site for £7,000; since then about £5,000 has been spent on architects' and other expenses? Will the Minister agree that this site is the most suitable and that the decision about another site came as a complete surprise to the committee, not through the committee, and would the Minister not agree now to sanction the Tullymongan site so that building of the school may go on?
While what the Deputy says may be true, and I have no way of confirming it here now, the most important matter is to provide the best possible facilities for the children.
(Cavan): Agreed.
If the two schools are located close to one another we will be able to provide better facilities than could be provided if we built on the site mentioned by the Deputy, which is at the other end of the town.
(Cavan): Sir, it is quite impossible to deal with this by way of question and answer and, therefore, with your permission, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.