asked the Minister for Education if he will approve of proposals for the purchase of a site for Mitchelstown Vocational School, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Schools.
25.
I have approved in principle the County Cork Vocational Education Committee's proposal to purchase a site for a new vocational school in Mitchelstown. The price and the specific area to be acquired are still the subject of negotiation.
26.
asked the Minister for Education if he will take all the steps necessary to expedite the building of a vocational school at Midleton, County Cork.
Mr. R. Burke
I have recently approved the purchase of a site for a new vocational school building at Midleton. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will proceed with the planning of the new school as quickly as possible, having regard to the availability of resources and existing commitments in relation to other new vocational schools.
Question No. 27 postponed.
28.
asked the Minister for Education the reason for his Department's recommendation to South Tipperary VEC that a tender from a person (name supplied) in County Cork be accepted for the building of Tipperary Vocational School; if he has had the matter investigated; and, if so, if he is satisfied with the manner in which the contract was granted.
Mr. R. Burke
The position in this case is that there were two tenders in question and one was excluded by the committee. My Department have informed the committee that there was no valid reason for passing over this tender. The matter is still subject to consideration by the committee.
Is the Minister aware of the price difference in the tenders and of the quality of the material the builder I named was prepared to put in at a lower price than the other person who tendered? Is the Minister aware that the committee, on a political vote, decided to exclude him?
Mr. R. Burke
I receive the minutes of the meetings of vocational education committees and I am aware of the background to the case.
Is the Minister aware that the Coalition parties came together to exclude one contractor?
Mr. R. Burke
I am not accepting that that is necessarily the case.
It is the second time members of the political party the Minister belongs to did a bit of shady dealing on that committee and I hope the Minister investigates this and sees that right is done.
Mr. R. Burke
I should like to indicate that the matter is the subject of investigation.
The Minister has the wind up now. The rot is spreading.
Mr. R. Burke
I know the clergy as well as the Deputy.