asked the Minister for Education if she will make money available in the current year for the extension and reconstruction of Ring national school, Dungarvan, County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ring (Waterford) School.
1.
Because of the pressure on the capital available to my Department for the national schools building programme, I am not in a position to allocate moneys in the current year for the extension proposed for Ring national school, County Waterford. However, my Department will be prepared to consider grant-aiding the cost of essential improvements to the existing school building.
Is the Minister aware that improvements will not solve the problem, that one of the classrooms has actually disintegrated and is no longer occupied by the school children? They have to be placed in a private dwelling. Is she serious when she tells us that no moneys will be made available in the present year? Is that definite?
As the Deputy knows, the Minister of State met with a deputation from this school on 24 February last. At that time the questions of possible help in the provision of a type of classroom and improvements to the existing building were raised. These matters are at present being considered by the management and my Department. The provision of this type of classroom would eliminate the need for use of the room in a nearby college, which I presume is the room to which the Deputy referred.
Yes.
This room, indeed, is very small and totally inadequate. Provision of the classrooms referred to would release an existing classroom for use as a lunchroom-cum medical room-cum teachers' room. We are most certainly keeping the matter under review.
In view of the dire circumstances in this school, I ask the Minister to keep an open mind as to whether finances can be made available in the current year. Will she have the matter examined further?
Yes, I shall certainly undertake to do that.
If finances are not provided in the current year, would the Minister guarantee that they will be provided early in 1989?
I shall certainly bear in mind the Deputy's and other Deputies' representations in this matter.
The other Deputies did not ask Dáil questions in this regard, unfortunately.
Other Deputies have been in written and oral communication with me.
Let us not have an argument on this matter. I call Question No. 2.
(Interruptions.)
Yes, I have received representations from Deputy Swift on the matter.
The people of Ring and I have had little or no sympathy on this matter.
You are an off-shore island.
What about poor Jackie Fahey?
I would take out the adjective "poor".