asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to each of the Model Schools in Marlboro Street, Dublin (a) the number of toilets, and if they are all in working order; (b) if hot and cold running water is provided, and, if so, where; and (c) the date on which each school was last painted, and the cost of such repainting.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Dublin Model Schools .
13.
: The information requested in the Deputy's question is as follows:
Central Model Boys' School: Nine water-closets, all in working order and nine wash-hand basins with cold water supply. Last painted in 1974 as part of a major scheme of reconstruction and adaptation. Figures of cost in respect of painting are not available.
Central Model Girls' School: Twelve water-closets, all but one in working order. Twelve wash-hand basins, ten having both hot and cold water supply, two having cold water only. Accommodation is in prefabricated buildings erected in 1974 and not since painted.
Central Model Infants' School: Twelve water-closets, all in working order. Eleven wash-hand basins with cold water supply. Last painted internally in 1974 as part of a major scheme of reconstruction and adaptation. Figures of cost in respect of painting are not available.
Scoil Cholmcille: Seven water-closets, all in working order, Six wash-hand basins with cold water supply. Accommodation in prefabricated buildings erected in 1974 and not since painted.
Scoil Mhuire: Seventeen water-closets, all but two in working order. Six wash-hand basins with cold water supply, plus one sink having hot and cold water supply. Last painted, externally, 1973, at a cost of £500; internally, 1976, at a cost of approximately £5,000.
An Scoil Ghaelach Ullmhúcháin: Eight water-closets, all in working order. Four wash-hand basins with cold water supply. Accommodation is in prefabricated classrooms erected in 1974 and not since painted.
These figures do not, of course, take account of an old toilet block in the school grounds, which is not required nor suitable for use and which is due for demolition and removal.
: Could the Minister tell the House whether he has been to visit the schools since the TV programme on which he appeared?
: I am glad the Deputy has avoided loo-loo land seeing that such a hames was made of the description of the closets in that programme. I visited them before and since.
: Could the Minister tell us when the disused toilet block will be demolished? Would the Minister agree that this structure is a danger to the children there at present?
: I am glad the Deputy knows when he is on weak and shakey ground and has moved on to something else. It should be a warning to the Deputy as a media man not to believe everything he sees. When I was on the programme referred to by the Deputy I did not refer to this structure because I thought that people might hammer others in that area about it. I did not say that the block had been vandalised and consequently had been rendered in part dangerous. I hope to shift it fairly soon and I hope the Deputy is also aware that the water closet situation relative to the population of the schools is as good as any place in Europe.
: Did the Minister not say on the television programme that he had not been to visit schools when he was asked?
: That is a separate question.
: The Minister said that he had not been to visit loo-loo land.
: Question No. 14.