asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed new school at Frosses, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Schools.
16.
It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that revised sketch plans for the proposed new school at Frosses, County Donegal, are awaited from the chairman's architect.
Would the Minister be kind enough to make representations to the Office of Public Works to have these revised sketch plans expedited?
I will consider the matter.
17.
asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to provide the extension to Magheraroarty national school, County Donegal.
It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that they await proposals from the chairman's architect concerning the proposed extension to Magheraroarty national school, County Donegal. It is not possible at this stage to state when building work may commence.
18.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the extension to St. Finan's national school, Falcarragh, County Donegal.
Tenders for the proposed extension to St. Finan's national school, Falcarragh, County Donegal, were re-invited by the Commissioners of Public Works in December last. The tenders which were received are now being examined by the commissioners.
19.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the proposed extension to Derrybeg national school, County Donegal.
I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that tenders were re-invited in December last for the proposed extension to Derrybeg national school, County Donegal. The tenders are under consideration by the commissioners at present.
There seems to be a stock answer to many of these questions. Will any building be done in Donegal this year?
That is a separate question.
Is it the intention of the Department of Finance to ask the Office of Public Works to re-advertise so that they will not have to spend any money in Donegal or anywhere else this year?
I am sorry, but I cannot answer off-hand what will be done in Donegal this year. That is a separate question and if the Deputy puts down a question to that effect. I will give him the information. So far as I am aware, tenders were invited and the Office of Public Works decided they were not satisfactory and re-invited tenders for that school. That is the present position.
20.
asked the Minister for Education when she will sanction a grant for the proposed extension to Luinneach national school, County Donegal.
A grant will be sanctioned towards the cost of the proposed extension to Luinneach national school, County Donegal, when agreement has been reached with the chairman concerning the local contribution to be made towards the cost of the project. My Department will be communicating with the chairman in the matter at a early date.
Is the Minister at liberty to divulge the amount of the grant or the local contribution required?
I am not in a position to give that information.
21.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the proposed new school at Kilclooney, County Donegal.
It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that an engineer's report on the site for the proposed new national school at Kilclooney, County Donegal, is awaited pending the receipt of which the bills of quantities cannot be completed. The engineer's report will determine the position of the school on the site.
Kilclooney national school will be a new school in that area. There will be an amalgamation of Kilclooney and Clogher national school——
A question please, Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that Clogher national school is about 100 years old? I visited that school last weekend for the third time in three weeks and found it was rat infested. Would the Minister urge the Office of Public Works to expedite their plans?
I was not asked the position of Clogher national school; I was asked about the proposed new school at Kilclooney. The present position is that the working drawings have been prepared and the bill of quantities is nearing completion. Completion of the bill of quantities is being held up pending receipt of a report from the structural engineer on the positioning of the proposed school on the site. The engineer was appointed recently and the office of Public Works expect that his report, together with the bill of quantities, may be completed in about four to six weeks. The next stage is the invitation of tenders.
The Minister of State gives the impression that I am not aware of what I am talking about. Clogher national school is of importance because Clogher and Kilclooney will be amalgamated into the proposed new school——
I said I was not aware of the situation in Clogher national school because it was not mentioned in the question. I was asked about Kilclooney and I have given the information at my disposal I am not saying the Deputy did not know what he was talking about; I am saying I was not aware of the situation because it was not mentioned in the question.
22.
asked the Minister for Education when additional classrooms will be provided at St. Catherine's national school, Ballyshannon, County Donegal.
The Department's inspector has been asked to review the long-term accommodation requirements at St. Catherine's national school, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, so as to determine what additional accommodation may be required.