Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - Schools' Furniture Provision.

John Browne

Ceist:

93 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that were provided with new furniture in 1995; the number that were offered the choice of sloped desks, as promised in her reply to a Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 7 June 1995; and the number that availed of that option. [2300/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The position relating to post-primary schools is that following from my reply of 7 June 1995, my Department arranged for a number of prototype sloped desks to be produced, one of which was approved after revisions.

The 1995 tender competition for the provision of furniture, where this is undertaken directly by the Department, had a closing date of 12 June 1995. Accordingly, it was not possible to alter the specifications without retendering. This would have meant inordinate delays in the provision of urgently needed furniture.

However, I am happy to say that the 1996 tender documentation which is being finalised at present includes specifications for sloped desks. All schools which are being supplied from the 1996 tender competition will be offered this option.

Of 100 post-primary schools where the provision of furniture was grant-aided by the building unit of my Department in 1995, one has already availed of the option of sloped desks. Schools which purchase furniture from their own resources are also at liberty to pursue this option.

In so far as national schools are concerned, a furniture manufacturer has recently completed a prototype sloped desk. This desk will now be tested and, if the tests prove satisfactory, the desk will be manufactured to order.