asked the Minister for Education if he will direct that the building of a new school at a location (details supplied) in County Galway will be sanctioned through all stages immediately; if he will direct the release of the documentation for tenders; if he will outline the size and details of the proposed new school; the date on which the release of tenders will be made; the expected date of the commencement of the projects; the amount of money allocated for this building; and if he will make a statement on this ongoing urgent matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway New School.
6.
My Department had sanctioned the building of a new vocational school for 350 pupil places at the location referred to by the Deputy. In line with all post-primary school building projects, this project is subject to review under the terms of paragraph 5.12 of the Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987 which stipulates that:
Discussions will be initiated... to ensure the maximum amount of co-ordination and integration in the provision and use of school facilities. Each building project in course of planning ... will be examined in the context of post-primary school resources generally in the catchment area to determine the practicability of integration, or, alternatively, co-ordination of facilities.
Discussions on the matter have been held with representatives of County Galway Vocational Education Committee. I have instructed my Department that the review of this project be concluded as quickly as possible.
The Minister will be aware that this case has been going on for a long time and that the conditions in the schools are very bad — there are leakages, overcrowding and many prefabs. In view of the large investment which the Department have made in private second level schools in that catchment area, in view of the fact that this is the only fully State controlled school in that catchment area, would he ensure that an immediate decision will be made?
The Deputy can be assured that the matter is being dealt with urgently by the Department.
Can the Minister give any indication of when we can expect a decision?
Obviously I cannot give the Deputy a precise date but we are aware of the urgency of the problem and the Deputy can be assured that a decision will be made at the earliest possible moment.
In view of the seriousness of it and in view of the necessity for this school to survive and to attract pupils, can the Minister ensure that a decision will be made before the reopening of the schools next autumn?
I hope a decision will be made before then.