Vol. 411 No. 7
49 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the practical steps, if any, which have been taken to adjust school furniture further to her reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 69 of 13 June 1991 and 15 of 4 December 1990.
I wish to again refer the Deputy to my ealier reply when I indicated that furniture is supplied to national schools as per Deparment design which has been undertaken following the widest consultation with schools authorities especially the teachers. We are always reappraising our designs in the light of experience.
As the Deputy is aware at the request of the INTO the Department convened a meeting on furniture in April 1990 where teachers and schools authorities from all over the country were represented. Present also were representatives from the furniture manufacturers and the Department's professional and administrative staff. The whole question of school furniture was discussed in detail.
At this meeting the Department gave assurances that grants would be available for the replacement or restoration where possible of old furniture.
My Department have not received any complaints about school furniture of the nature referred to by the Deputy since my previous replies.
