asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the provision of vocational schools in County Dublin with particular reference to Swords, Skerries, Lucan and Clondalkin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Vocational Schools.
55.
Mr. R. Burke
The following is the present position in regard to the provision of vocational schools in County Dublin.
Swords: A site is being acquired by the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee for a new 800 pupil vocational school.
Skerries: Plans are proceeding for the provision of a single post-primary school to replace the three existing schools. Building is expected to commence early in 1975.
Lucan: The Department agree in principle to the provision of a new vocational school. Further consideration of the matter is held up pending the acquisition of a suitable site.
Clondalkin: Proposals for the erection of an extension to the vocational school will be implemented when a site for the purpose has been acquired by the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
Rathfarnham: Proposals for a vocational school are still under consideration.
Would the Minister indicate on which side in Skerries the school is to be built?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy would put a specific question on that point I should be obliged. I have not been given the information he is seeking.
This will be a community school, I understand. When does the Minister intend to set up the board of management?
Mr. R. Burke
All I can say is that we are planning and proceeding with the arrangements to the best of our ability. I cannot say when it will be finalised.
The Minister has indicated that this school will be opened in 1975. Is it not time that the board were appointed so that the necessary work could be put in train in regard to the building and the appointment of staff?
Mr. R. Burke
I agree with the Deputy. We are doing all we can to expedite the matter. I am not always able to deliver arrangements of this kind, not through any fault of the Minister or the Department.
As the Minister has allowed the town of Swords to develop on a 3-stream basis, would he indicate if he would be prepared to entertain a grant towards the building of a school if a group of nuns indicated an interest of coming into the town?
Mr. R. Burke
In addition to the three schools there already?
There are not three. There are only two, the vocational and the Christian Brothers. Would he agree, in view of the expansion in the area——
Mr. R. Burke
If the authorities in question were to put in a formal application, I would give it every consideration. I could not possibly give the Deputy an answer at this stage. We cannot do all things at once.
Would the Minister give it favourable consideration?
Mr. R. Burke
I will give it the same consideration as all such applications are given.