asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the proposed new school at Kilclooney, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Schools.
10.
The architectural planning of the proposed new school at Kilclooney, County Donegal, is now at an advanced stage. It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that working drawings are nearing completion and the commissioners hope to proceed in the near future with the preparation of the bill of quantities.
That answer is practically the same as the answer I received some four or five months ago. Is the Minister aware that this new central school will cater for the pupils at present attending Clogher national school as well as those attending the school at Kilclooney. Is the Minister further aware that the school at Kilclooney is about 100 years old, and I am surprised the INTO has not directed their members to withdraw their services because of the condition of the school?
I do not agree with the Deputy that my answer is the same as the answer I gave the Deputy some two months ago. In that reply I said that 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 bill of quantities cannot be completed. Today I told the Deputy that it is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that working drawings are near completion and the commissioners hope to proceed in the near future with the preparation of the bill of quantities. The project is advancing and as soon as the bill of quantities is received the tender stage will go ahead.
Could I ask the Minister to ensure that no additional contribution will be required from the board of management over and above the normal contribution?
I cannot give the Deputy any information in regard to the local contribution. That is negotiated between the Department and the chairman of the board of management. At this stage I could not say what the result will be.
Does the Minister accept that the site on which the school will be built was viewed by officials of the Board of Works some years ago and that they decided the school should be built there? Is the Minister aware that there are some difficulties in relation to site clearance which will probably cost more than is normal for this type of work? Does the Minister consider that any extra cost should be borne by the Department rather than by the board of management in view of the fact that officials of the Department recommended that the school should be built there?
If the site is over costly that will be taken into account in the allocation of the grant.
Can I take it from the Minister's reply that it will not be added to the contribution by the board of management especially in view of the fact that the site was not their choice and that there were less expensive sites available.
As I said, I cannot give any assurance in relation to the local contributions. I am amazed to hear the Deputy say that we imposed a site on them because it is normal procedure for the board of management to recommend a site which is then examined by the Board of Works. I will have the matter examined but I cannot give any assurances to the Deputy.
11.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the extension to Magheraroarty national school, County Donegal.
I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that they currently await the submission by the school authorities of a revised sketch scheme and costings for the extension of Magheraroarty national school, County Donegal. The extension will comprise a temporary classroom and a staff toilet, and make provision for the improvement of the sewerage facilities. On receipt of the commissioners' recommendations my Department will be in touch with the school authorities with a view to sanctioning a grant for the project.
12.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the extension to Ranafast national school, County Donegal.
My Department recently authorised the invitation of tenders for the proposed extension to Ranafast national school, County Donegal. The further arrangements are now a matter for the school authority's architect acting in consultation with the Commissioners of Public Works.