asked the Minister for Education the proposals she has for the provision of a regional technical college or other third level education institutions in County Mayo.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Educational Facilities.
8.
A decision was made by my predecessor, Mr. John Boland, TD, regarding the location of a regional technical college in Castlebar and I am satisfied as to the validity and strength of the case for such a college.
I desire to draw the attention of the Deputy to paragraph 6.17 of the Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987 where it is stated in relation to capital projects at third-level that "the provision of funds for capital purposes either by way of new buildings, extensions or equipment poses particular problems in view of the magnitude of the costs involved". Decisions in relation to the projects which may be given priority are made in the context of Government decisions with regard to the public capital programme. It is not possible at this stage to say when the planning procedure involved in relation to the proposed regional technical college in Castlebar may be initiated.
Does the Minister agree that there is a prima facie case for the construction and commissioning of a regional technical college in Mayo? Will the Minister tell the House when the decision was taken positively by the former Minister for Education, Deputy Boland?
The Minister for Education on 17 December 1981 gave the following reply to a Dáil Question:
The question of providing such a facility to serve Castlebar and the adjoining region has separately been raised with me some time ago and, as a result, I wish to reiterate my commitment to the provision of such a facility in Castlebar.
I have that answer but I am not clear if I have the original decision to which that refers.
Will the Minister accept that that represents a positive decision taken by her predecessor which must be honoured in due course by the Government?
As I explained to the Deputy decisions in relation to the projects which may be given priority will be made in the context of Government decisions with regard to the public capital programme. I am satisfied as to the validity and strength of the case for such a college.
Is the Minister aware that the Taoiseach when visiting Castlebar recently for the Fine Gael European seminar, gave a positive commitment that the regional technical college would not be further delayed, irrespective of what the Minister's so called action plan might say, and that the college would be a first priority of Government action? Will the Minister honour that commitment given by the Taoiseach and when?
I have answered that question. It is not possible to say when the planning procedure will be initiated.
The Taoiseach was spoofing.
The Taoiseach gave a positive commitment but the Minister has told us that it is contingent on something else. In effect that means that no substantial work has been done in any shape or form to bring to fruition the promise of the former Minister for Education, Deputy Boland, and the Taoiseach. Will the Minister initiate the first step which, obviously, will be a long drawn out process, to fulfil a promise by the Taoiseach recently? Surely that is not too much to ask.
I will repeat what I said in my answer.
Will the Minister initiate the first step?
The Deputy put a long question to the Minister and he might let her answer.
If the Minister persists in saying she can only repeat what she already said, that is not——
The Minister had only uttered one sentence when she was interrupted. That is not reasonable.
She prefaced it that as she had said——
I suggest that the Deputy——
I will ask one final supplementary. Will the Minister initiate any move to bring to fruition the promise solemnly given by her leader?
That is a repeat of your last question. Sit down and wait for an answer.
Since the Deputy keeps repeating the questions I will keep repeating the answers. The decision will be made in the context of Government decisions with regard to the Public Capital Programme.
That is not an answer to the question.
I am calling Question No. 9.
The Minister for the Public Service, Deputy Boland, said that irrespective of what constraints were on the Government he would deliver on that.