asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to the community school proposed for Carrigaline, County Cork, the total accommodation envisaged; if provision is made for such facilities as a swimming pool and gymnasium; when work is expected to commence; and when the school will be ready for occupation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carrigaline Community School.
22.
It is anticipated that work on the construction of the new community school, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, which will accommodate 800 pupils, will be commenced in the summer of 1979 and that accommodation will be available for occupation in September, 1980.
Provision is not being made at present in the plans for a gymnasium nor is provision being made for a swimming pool.
I should call the Deputy's attention to my reply to Question Number 18 of 28 February 1978.
Is the omission of a gymnasium in this proposed community school, in principle, not in direct conflict with the expression of goodwill the Minister gave us some months ago on the question of gymnasia in schools generally?
The Deputy is right that I expressed my anxiety to have such accommodation in schools. There is a rather heavy backlog in this. As the Deputy knows the previous Administration suspended all such gymnasia and such amenities. They cost roughly £100,000 per school so ten, 12 or 15 of a backlog leaves me with a fairly substantial bill. If I include ones in the schools which are being built no doubt those that were denied them in the past would regard themselves as first in the queue and would be extremely angry about the whole matter.
Can I ask a supplementary on this question?
We have had a number of supplementaries. It is a local question referring to a local matter.
When can we expect a change of policy in relation to the provision of gymnasia?
That is not relevant to the Carrigaline school.