Vol. 396 No. 6
214 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education when sanction will be given to the school authorities in Fethard, County Tipperary, to proceed with the school extension; the amount of extended accommodation approved by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware from the recent meeting I had with the school authorities, I have decided to proceed with this school extension to cater for the amalgamation of both schools in the Fethard centre.
As indicated at the meeting I also intend to visit the centre in the near future regarding the further development of this project.
215 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education when the proposed community school in Cashel, County Tipperary, will commence; the reasons for the delay to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
264 Mr. J. Bruton and Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the nature of the legal formalities which have to be completed before work can start on the community school in Cashel, County Tipperary; when they will be completed; and if a model contract for the design, finance and construct scheme has yet been finalised.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 264 together.
A draft form of contract for use in my Department's design, finance and construct pilot scheme has been prepared in consultation with the chief state solicitor and a senior counsel specifically engaged to advise on its composition. The Department are now awaiting final clearance by the chief state solicitor of the contract.
Pending receipt of this clearance I am not in a position to say when the pilot scheme which includes the proposed Cashel community school project, will proceed. However, my Department are meeting the chief state solicitor today in an effort to resolve any remaining difficulties and it is hoped that the necessary legal approval of the document will be forthcoming soon. When the contract has been approved by the chief state solicitor, my Department will proceed with the further arrangements for the pilot scheme, for which the next stage is the invitation of proposals from the selected developers.
