Vol. 476 No. 3
124 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding the acquisition of a site for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the substandard condition of the school is threatening the health of the pupils and the teachers. [7151/97]
My Department is currently involved in an examination of rationalisation possibilities in Mallow and has been in contact with the individual schools. An independent facilitator has been engaged by the Department to assist in the process.
Until this examination is completed, I will not be in a position to take a decision in relation to the purchase of a site for the school referred to by the Deputy.
I am aware of the substandard condition of the existing accommodation, and the urgent need to find a solution. However, there is substantial vacant classroom accommodation in the town and this option must be examined thoroughly before I can consider committing scarce Exchequer resources to providing a site and another school.
