asked the Minister for Education the reason the board of management of Dundalk Presbyterian national school have not been recompensed for the full cost of repairs to this school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk School.
6.
Dundealgan national school, County Louth, is the property of the State and maintenance is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. Any improvements are dealt with in the normal way under the rules for national schools and are the subject of grants from my Department. Local contributions are payable by the chairman of the board of management in respect of such improvements.
Some years ago the chairman of the board of management of the Dundealgan school arranged for the lowering of ceilings and the provision of improved heating and lighting. These works were of an improvement nature and were outside the scope of normal maintenance. Local contributions were payable.
For some time past the chairman of the board of management has been pressing to have these improvement works regarded as normal maintenance. My Department accept the viewpoint of the Commissioners of Public Works that these works could not be so regarded.
Would the Minister accept that there are very few pupils attending this school and that, despite pressure from the board of management, no money has been forthcoming in respect of the school for some time? Does he consider it fair that a school with such a small number on the rolls should have this burden imposed on them?
I have no details of the numbers on the rolls but it is not true to say that no money has been forthcoming from the Department for the school. In 1979 improved heating there was provided by the chairman of the board of management at a cost of £3,975.41p. On that occasion a grant to the extent of four-fifths of the cost was paid. In the same year ceilings were lowered by the chairman of the board of management at a cost of £2,170.62p and on that occasion a two-thirds grant was paid.
That was back in the good days of 1979.