asked the Minister for Education the steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of heating oil for all schools and colleges for the 1979-80 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Heating.
20.
asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the position regarding supplies of heating oil for schools during the coming winter and the special arrangements, if any, being made to ensure availability of supplies.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I initiated studies some time ago as to the supplies of heating oil needed for schools, colleges and universities. The full results of these studies are not yet available.
The Deputy may be assured, however, that every possible step will be taken to ensure a high order of priority for educational institutions in this matter.
Is the Minister aware that the secretariat of secondary school managers has written to a number of the Members of the Dáil expressing reservations about the oil requirements being met in schools this year both from a quantitative and costing point of view? Could the Minister tell the House, in view of the huge increase in the cost of heating oil, what steps he is taking to ensure there is a sufficient quantity of heating oil available to schools and what steps he is taking to ensure that primary, secondary, vocational, community——
Universities and RTCs.
——will have enough finance available to ensure that the schools and colleges will be adequately heated in the coming winter?
To take the first part of the Deputy's supplementary I am not privy to the secret correspondance of Father Con sayers.
Did he not write to the Minister about it?
No. I initiated an inquiry into the heating needs of schools long before I was prompted by anybody. As preliminary reports were coming in from my inspectors and others involved, I kept in touch with the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy and he is confident that he will be able to guarantee supplies. I will make the Minister aware of the full report when I have it. I am confident he will see to it that there is enough oil for heating schools at all levels up to university and RTC level.
I have a copy of the letter dated 7 June which was sent to the Minister——
The Deputy may not quote from it.
I am not quoting from it.
That matter has been pursued fully and answered.
I am fully aware of the need and importance of oil for schools next winter. I needed prompting from nobody. I initiated an inquiry at my own request into the heating needs of the schools and the matter is fully in hand.
Will the Minister move a supplementary estimate granting extra money to primary, secondary——
I will do whatever is necessary. I will see to it that schools are heated.
I will hold the Minister to that.
My word is my bond.
Is the Minister aware that there are schools presently suffering because they lack oil? These are schools which have pools in them and there is a possibility that some of these pools will have to close down. Is there any way the Minister can help these schools? Many have indicated that they will have to close the pools. I am sure the Minister would not wish these swimming pools to fall into disuse.
I am aware that a permanent secretary of one of the organisations stated that heating schools would have priority over heating swimming pools.
There is nothing on the Order Paper about swimming pools.
There are a number of schools which have to close pools because of lack of oil.
As far as secondary schools are concerned, they are private institutions and I have no function in regard to these pools.