asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed new national school for Clifden, Connemara, County Galway.
Written Answers. - National Schools.
562.
The new school is to be built on a site offered by the convent school authorities and while it is generally acceptable, difficulties have arisen regarding access to it.
In their report of inspection in June 1980 the Office of Public Works stated that site works would be required at a total estimated cost of £35,000. These works involved development of site and the provision of a proper entrance and car parking facilities.
Their comments were subsequently conveyed to the school authorities, and it was explained that under the terms of the Department's rules for national schools, the cost of the development works would have to be borne from local sources. The school authorities objected to the proposal, stating that the high costs derived from the Department's insistence on using a particular point of access. In the wake of representations it was decided to re-investigate the case with the Office of Public Works.
The Board of Works reply was received recently and it confirms that a rear entrance to the site could be used. If acceptable to the school authorities the cost of the site works etc., would effectively be reduced to £10,000. The Department are prepared to accept the alternative access and have written to the Rev. Chairman seeking written confirmation that the entrance can be made available. A letter was issued to the chairman of the convent school board of management on 13 October 1981 and a reply is awaited.
563.
asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed new national school for Carnmore, County Galway.
564.
asked the Minister for Education when he expects the completion of the new national school for the Carnmore catchment area, County Galway.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 564 together.
I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that working drawings for the proposed new national school at Carnmore, County Galway are nearing completion and that it is hoped to commence work soon on the preparation of bill of quantities. It is not possible to state at this stage when building work may commence.
The new school will consist of four classrooms and a general purposes room. The decision to go ahead was taken in April 1977, but the site originally offered for the school and subsequently approved was withdrawn from sale in August 1978. An alternative site was approved, though securing evidence of title took a little longer than might normally be expected. Agreement was obtained on the local contribution with the chairman, and a grant was sanctioned earlier this year.
Working drawings are nearing completion and it is hoped to commence work on the preparation of the bill of quantities soon. As soon as the bill of quantities is completed, tenders may be invited.
565.
asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in inviting tenders for the new school at Claregalway, County Galway; and if tenders will be invited in the near future.
The Commissioners of Public Works invited tenders for the building of the extension to the national school at Claregalway, County Galway on 29 September 1981.
The Department's grant was delayed because of difficulties relating to the clearance of title to the site extension, required to accommodate the scheme. The evidence of title was submitted for approval in November 1979 and had been with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor for almost a year. During that time, the Chief State Solicitor had been corresponding with the Rev. Chairman's solicitor in the matter and it appears that delays in obtaining replies from the chairman's solicitor played a major part in holding up the scheme.
566.
asked the Minister for Education when it is intended to commence work on the new national school proposed for Drumkeen, Ballybofey, County Donegal.
It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that they have completed a preliminary sketch scheme to enable them to assess the suitability of the site offered for the proposed new national school at Drumkeen, County Donegal.
It is not possible at this stage of planning to state when building work may commence. On 5 March 1981 the commissioners stated that they had originally inspected this site in 1978 and considered it to be unsuitable. However, in view of the difficulty in getting an alternative suitable site they were prepared to reconsider their earlier decision. I expect to hear very shortly from them in relation to the sketch plan.
567.
asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on the national school at Sixmilebridge, County Clare.
Tenders for the erection of the extension to Sixmilebridge National School, County Clare, have been received by the Commissioners of Public Works and are at present being examined by them. Delays had occurred in relation to replanning due to an increase in the area of the general purpose room and the proving of title to the site extension. It is not yet possible to say when building work may commence.
568.
asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on the national school at Inagh, County Clare.
Revised sketch plans for the proposed new national school at Inagh, County Clare, have been submitted by the chairman's architect to the Office of Public Works and the submission of a cost plan is awaited. I am not totally satisfied with progress on this proposal which arises from the decision in August 1974. A number of difficulties have arisen, but I am hopeful that progress will be made shortly. It is not possible to state at this stage of planning when building work may commence.
569.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that first and fourth year classes in the boys national school at Oranmore, County Galway are being held in a caravan; and the steps his Department will take to ensure that suitable accommodation is provided immediately.
The original decision to provide two additional classrooms and a general purposes room at this school was taken in March 1978. In order to make provision for the possible future extension of the existing school to eight classrooms it was found necessary to re-design the sketch plans already prepared in June 1979. These revised plans were submitted to the Department for approval in May, 1981 and the Rev. Chairman was asked to discuss the local contribution with the Department in mid-June, 1981. The chairman's response came in September 1981 and following discussions with him agreement was obtained on the local contribution. The Office of Public Works were then authorised to proceed with the preparation of working drawings. I am aware of dissatisfaction with the rate of progress on this case and, indeed, the matter was raised in the Dáil on 26 March 1981 by Deputy John F. Donnellan.
With regard to the temporary accommodation, the position is as follows: two years ago partitions were erected in two classrooms (built 1969) and these two rooms have been catering for a total of four teachers and their classes for this period. As the summer months of this year approached the school management decided that prefabricated classrooms would have to be provided. The partitions were accordingly removed and two mobile homes erected without Department approval on the site, during the summer months. The two "mobiles" were provided temporarily pending the erection of two prefabs.
It is understood that a parents committee have now purchased a secondhand prefabricated unit, which consists of three classrooms, and that arrangements are being made to have it erected at the school. In the meanwhile the "mobile homes" are being used as a teachers' staff room and classroom. The latter is being used on a rota basis with each of three classes (1st, 3rd and 5th) spending no more than two hours in the "homes" at a time.
The divisional inspector is to furnish a report in the matter and the question of a grant towards the cost of the provision of temporary accommodation will then be considered in the Department.
570.
asked the Minister for Education if and when the requests of the manager of St. Thomas primary school, Jobstown, Tallaght, County Dublin, can be met in respect of the following; (i) the expediting of the building of phase II of the school and (ii) the provision of supplementary financial benefit for the principal and remedial teachers there.
My Department have agreed to the provision of two 16 classroom schools for the Jobstown, Tallaght area. The first school is in course of erection and preliminary arrangements for the provision of the second school are being processed at present.
My Department have no funds at their disposal out of which special supplementary payments could be paid to the chairman of the board of management or to any of the teachers of the school.
571.
asked the Minister for Education when a grant will be sanctioned for repairs to Menlough national school, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Application was made for a grant at the beginning of May 1981. The Commissioners of Public Works were asked in the same month to report as soon as possible and give a recommendation for grant purposes. At the beginning of June, representations in the matter were received from four local Dáil Deputies. A grant for repairs to Menlough national school, Ballinasloe, County Galway was sanctioned on 5 October 1981.
572.
asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to progress on Kilclooney national school, County Donegal.
Working drawings for the proposed new school at Kilclooney, County Donegal have been prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works and they await the submission of the bill of quantities.
573.
asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the application for an extension and improvement works to Kilnaboy national school, County Clare.
It is proposed to extend and up-date Kilnaboy national school so as to provide accommodation in three classrooms and a general purpose room. The Commissioners of Public Works have been requested to prepare plans for the project.
This represents a significant improvement on earlier proposals, which limited the extension to one classroom and a general purposes room, due to the restricted nature of the site. The Rev. Chairman has been of assistance in facilitating a site extension, which now means that it is possible to erect two new classrooms and general purposes room along with converting the existing two classrooms into one, on the new site.