asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions for staff and students in the Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin College of Technology.
29.
I am aware that there are accommodation problems at Bolton Street College and that the vocational education committee are investigating ways of relieving the situation in the short-term.
The long-term question of accommodation at the college, and at the other colleges under the committee, is being reviewed in the light of proposals for third-level education generally, and for third-level non-university education in Dublin in particular.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that there is no need for an examination or review when there is ample evidence of the chaos existing in Bolton Street College, and would he say whether the Minister has any worthwhile proposals to solve this problem?
The Department is aware of accommodation problems at Bolton Street College, particularly in the case of courses for architectural technicians. The vocational educational committee are examining the feasibility of leasing the old Kings Hospital School at Blackhall Place to provide relief for the college's problems in the short term. The Department have accepted that they should seek professional advice in the matter. In the long term the accommodation problems in Bolton Street College, as well as the problems of Kevin Street and Rathmines Colleges, hinge on the decision to be taken on the committee's proposal to build a third level commercial technological institute at Ballymun.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the short-term solution must be implemented immediately or otherwise the prestige and the efficiency of the College of Technology at Bolton Street must continue to suffer?
I have outlined the action which the vocational education committee is taking in relation to the short-term matter.
I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to state how long this problem has been with us?
This problem has been in existence for some time.
It would shake the Deputy if he knew.
The Deputy never caused any chaos in a school anyway.