asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the intention of national school teachers to withdraw their services from schools throughout the country from next October; if he will make a statement on the extent of the condition of such substandard schools; and the measures he is taking to avoid such action on the part of the teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Substandard Schools .
18.
: I am aware of the statements made in relation to proposed action in October next by teachers serving in schools in which conditions are alleged to be unsatisfactory.
The replacement or improvement of school premises is proceeding and is under continuous review in my Department with a view to providing a maximum standard of educational facilities within the limit of resources available.
Schools lacking modern facilities are, in the main, smaller schools in the one-teacher and two-teacher categories. Quite a number of them are due to go out of existence as soon as proposals for their absorption into larger school units are effected. One of the advantages of amalgamation is that physical conditions in the resultant larger schools are generally much better than those which existed in the individual smaller schools involved.
Last year my Department circularised chairmen of boards of management of national schools notifying them that grants would be available for essential improvements to schools which will continue in existence for a reasonable period. Such improvements would include the installation of water-flushed sanitation, the provision of adequate heating and lighting, the improvement of play spaces and, in certain instances, the making good of minor structural defects which have arisen otherwise than by neglect of normal maintenance. They were informed also that they could arrange for the carrying out of these works on their own initiative in accordance with guidelines issued to them.
I am arranging for discussions in the matter with the managerial and teaching interests involved.
: Is the Minister aware that there are approximately 700 such substandard schools and that the amount of money voted for school reconstruction has been increased only slightly over last year? Can he say how many closures of one and two teacher schools are expected in 1978-79?
: The latter part of the Deputy's statement is a separate matter and if the Deputy puts down a question on it I will answer it. The Deputy said the capital grant is not very large. It is a substantial grant at the moment, standing at £14.3 million.
: Is it only £1 million more than last year and that would barely compensate for inflation.
: Is the Minister aware that the INTO have been publicly specifically critical of the schools under the Minister's direct control at Marlborough Street, that these schools should be a showpiece for Irish education, and that they are not?
: I am glad to see that the Deputy is smarting under the lash of the truth.
: Can we now expect a new spate of primary school closures?
: If the Deputy puts down a question I will answer it. I assure the Deputy sincerely that so far as improvements in schools are concerned my objectives are the same as his and the same as those of the INTO.