asked the Minister for Education if he will expedite sanction for the building of additional classrooms at Glenamaddy Vocational School, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway School.
7.
An application was recently made by the County Galway Vocational Education Committee for an additional temporary classroom at Glenamaddy Vocational School. A decision will be made when additional information which has been sought from the committee comes to hand.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the serious situation that exists in Glenamaddy because of overcrowding? Is he aware that unless an additional classroom is provided before the beginning of the new school year it will not be possible for the vocational school to co-operate with the local secondary school in the provision of courses in woodwork, drawing and construction, something which would be a serious setback to the students from the secondary school?
I am aware that three or four weeks ago the vocational education committee made application for one temporary classroom as an extension to the school. The Department required further information so as to be able to consider this request. I gather that this further information was provided by the committee to the Department in the last two or three days. I believe there are still some matters on which the Department want clarification and in relation to those the Department will be communicating with the committee almost immediately.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that application was made some time ago to the Department for the additional classrooms and that no move was made by the Department to do anything about the problem until I tabled this question?
That is not the case. My information is that an application was made in the last three or four weeks and that it was dealt with immediately by a request for further information. The Deputy's question has nothing to do with the matter.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary not obtain that additional information over the phone from the CEO? Can the Parliamentary Secretary give me an undertaking that this classroom will be provided by the start of the new school year?
The further information was sought by the Department almost immediately by letter.