asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the damage to Glenmore national school arising from the recent storms; and if he is in a position to state when work will commence on the building so that all repairs can be carried out during the summer holiday period.
Written Answers. - Mayo Schools.
84.
My Department is in receipt of an application from the authorities of Glenmore national school, County Mayo, for a grant for the provision of floor covering. On a recent inspection of the school building by my Department's professional advisers it was found that a costly and extensive scheme of works would be required to bring the school building up to a reasonable standard, including the replacement of the floors and ceilings and improvements to the roof and external playspace. It will accordingly be necessary to have consultations with the school authorities having regard to my Department's policy on not replacing two teacher schools except in circumstances where no suitable alternative provision can be made for the education of the children. These consultations will be concluded at the earliest possible date and a decision on the question of improvements to the existing school buildings will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible thereafter. Representations have not been made by the school that there has been recent storm damage, but I should point out that the cost of repairing such damage is normally covered by insurance.
85.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement in relation to Eskeragh national school, Ballina, County Mayo; when work will resume; and the extra accommodation and work which will take place there.
My Department has agreed to grant aid an improvement scheme to Eskeragh national school, Ballina, County Mayo. The scheme has been substantially completed. The scheme included, among other items, the provision of a new toilet block and a quotation for this is awaited. Subject to receipt of an acceptable quotation, the completion of the works will be authorised.
86.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the up-to-date position in relation to the provision of badly needed accommodation and ancillary works to Crossmolina girls national school; and when work will commence on this project.
My Department has agreed to grant aid the extension of Crossmolina girls national school, County Mayo. The school currently has a staff of eight teachers, including the principal and a remedial teacher, and the accommodation consists of six classrooms and a general purposes area. The sketch scheme was designed by the Office of Public Works. Because the project involves provision of additional classroom accommodation and my Department is unable immediately to undertake preparation of the contract documents, consideration is being given to a request from the school authorities that they be allowed to engage their own architect for this work. A decision in the matter will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.
It is not possible at this stage to say when building work will commence.
87.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the very serious situation that exists at Crossmolina boys national school; and the steps that he intends to take to give priority to the provision of extra accommodation at this school.
My Department has agreed to grant aid the provision of a general purposes room for Crossmolina boys national school, County Mayo. The school has a staff of a principal teacher and three assistant teachers and the accommodation consists of four permanent classrooms.
A sketch scheme has already been prepared for the project. Because of the large number of cases at various stages of architectural planning, it will not be possible for my Department's professional advisers to complete the contract documents in this case for some months at least.
88.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the serious situation that exists at Ballycastle national school; when work will commence on the new national school there; and the steps he proposes to take to expedite the commencement of this project.
My Department has agreed in principle to grant aid the erection of a new building for Ballycastle national school, County Mayo. Because of the large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning, it has not yet been possible for my Department's professional advisers to complete a sketch scheme in this case. My Department had hoped for better progress on the architectural planning of this school, but this has not proved possible because of the volume of work in hands.
I am not in a position at this stage when work on the project will commence.
89.
asked the Minister for Education the steps he proposes to take to finalise the provision of extra accommodation to replace an old prefabricated building of Cuilacraun national school, Castlehill, Bellies; and when work will commence on this project.
The Deputy's question is taken to refer to the two teacher Cuilagurrain national school, County Mayo, the authorities of which had asked my Department to consider the result of an architectural survey which they had carried out on the school building. The survey included an estimate of the cost of carrying out the following works: provision of tarmac play areas, replacement of gutters, overhauling of roof, replacement of lights, provision of shelving, insulation of the roof and attention to floors. A subsequent inspection carried out by my Department's professional advisers revealed that a much costlier and more extensive scheme of works would be required to bring the school up to a reasonable standard. It will accordingly be necessary to have further consultation with the school authorities having regard to my Department's policy of not replacing two teacher schools except in circumstances where no suitable alternative provision can be made for the education of the children. These consultations will be concluded at the earliest possible date and a decision on the question of improvements to the existing school buildings will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible thereafter.