asked the Minister for Education if she has received a report of the investigation which she ordered on Thursday, 12 January 1984 into the serious damage to Keadue national school, County Donegal.
196.
Written Answers. - Damage to Schools.
195.
asked the Minister for Education her plans for the provision of alternative accommodation for the children of Keadue national school, County Donegal; if she will provide grant aid for immediate repairs to any alternative accommodation to render it suitable for classroom activities; and if she will provide transport to the alternative accommodation.
197.
asked the Minister for Education in view of the recent destruction and serious damage to prefabricated classrooms in County Donegal, the plans she has to carry out inspections to ensure the safety of these buildings.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 196 and 197 together.
Investigations have been carried out into damage at various national schools during recent stormy weather, with particular reference to that which occurred at Keadue national school in County Donegal and to prefabricated classrooms in various other centres. Preliminary reports from the Commissioners of Public Works, who are responsible for the arrangements for the provision of national school accommodation, are under consideration in my Department and further detailed reports are awaited.
My understanding as to the position at Keadue national school is that a prefabricated classroom which was being used as an adjunct to the permanent school building was seriously damaged by unusually strong gales and that the school has been temporarily closed due to the presence of debris in the yard. The schools authorities are proposing to accommodate the pupils and teacher who occupied the damaged prefabricated building in a nearby closed national school as a temporary measure and my Department are prepared to sanction transport to facilitate such arrangements. The question of a permanent extension to the school is also under consideration.
With regard to the general question of the use of prefabricated classrooms and their safety such classrooms have been in use for more than 25 years and have proved generally satisfactory from the standpoint of safety. My Department and the Commissioners of Public Works, whose local offices are readily contactable by national school authorities, will respond immediately to any requests for inspections and advice where such buildings have been damaged or where the school management authorities consider an inspection is warranted.