asked the Minister for Education if he will approve a financial allocation for major expansion of Ballaghaderreen vocational school, County Roscommon; the estimated cost of the project and the proposed new accommodation; the date the original application was made; and the progress, if any, to date.
Written Answers. - Ballaghaderreen (Roscommon) Vocational School.
21.
An application for an extension to Ballaghaderreen vocational school was lodged with my Department in May 1978. Sanction for the building of an extension to enable the school to cater for 275 pupils was subsequently given by my Department and architectural planning has reached an advanced stage.
However, having regard to the commitment given in paragraph 5.12 of the Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987, my Department has been reviewing this and all other similar building projects in the context of post-primary school resources in the catchment area to determine the practicability of integration or, alternatively, co-ordination of facilities. Arising from this, discussions have been held with representatives of County Roscommon Vocational Education Committee and of the two secondary schools in Ballaghaderreen.
As this review has not yet been completed it is not possible to give specific details regarding the estimated cost and the range of new accommodation that may be provided. The allocation of finance in respect of a particular building project does not arise until the seeking of tenders is envisaged.