Vol. 349 No. 3
asked the Minister for Education the conclusions she has drawn from the recent survey carried out by the Students Union/Board of Management in Galway Regional Technical College; and the plans that are envisaged to improve the greatly inadequate canteen facilities in this college.
16.
asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the considerable difficulty that exists for students in the Galway Regional Technical College, in so far as canteen facilities are concerned; and if she will take immediate steps to relieve this situation.
17.
asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the inadequate canteen and library facilities at Galway Regional Technical College; and if so, the action she proposes to take to alleviate the problem.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 17, inclusive, together.
A recent survey of the canteen facilities at Galway Regional Technical College is currently under examination in my Department, in conjuction with a survey of the college accommodation which was received from the Town of Galway Vocational Education Committee.
An analysis of the utilisation of the existing library accommodation is still awaited from the college. A decision in relation to the college's total accommodation needs, including canteen and library facilities, will be made with due regard to all relevant requirements when all the necessary information is available.
The Minister was correct to take the last three questions together but I hope the other Deputies will be allowed to ask supplementary questions also.
The Deputy should not lecture the Chair.
I had no intention of lecturing the Chair. I was referring to Deputies of my own party as I did not know whether they were in the House.
I knew it was a lecture; I was not sure at whom it was directed.
I would not dream of lecturing such an august person. Is the Minister of State aware that this report was carried out with the co-operation of the board of management and the student body? In the light of such a novel enterprise, will the Minister ensure that adequate consideration is given to this? Is the Minister also aware that in the Galway Regional Technical College, which I visited recently, students have to eat in odd corners because of the grossly inadequate canteen facilities available to them?
Perhaps I am not as fully aware of conditions as the Deputy obviously is but the Department's requirements in the matter were explained and it was agreed that an analysis of the utilisation of existing accommodation would be furnished by the college in the form required by the Department. A sample form, indicating the format for the analysis, was sent to the chief executive officer on 16 September 1982. Despite reminders issued on 26 November 1982, 27 January 1983 and 16 December 1983, no reply was received until 3 February 1984. More information, as a result of a survey on canteen usage, was received on 29 February 1984 but an analysis of the library facilities is still awaited. It is necessary for the Department to get a complete assessment, not just dealing with the canteeen but with accommodation generally before they come to any decision. As soon as the information is available, the Deputy may rest assured that no undue delay will occur. I must remind the Deputy that very often Ministers, Departments and officials are criticised unfairly as in this case when the relevant information has not been sent to them.
Does the Minister mean that a number of reminders were sent to Galway VEC?
Yes.
Is it true that within the financial allocation given to Galway VEC, they would not be able to provide the facilities which are now being sought?
The Department are looking for simple information in relation to the overall accommodation available there. We must get this information before we can tackle the problems of the library or the canteen. As I said, we have written to the VEC reminding them that we need this information before we can come to a decision and when we get this information there will be no undue delay on the part of the Department.
