Vol. 476 No. 5
171 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education when grants in respect of works carried out to a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid; and the reason a reduced rate of grant aid was paid in respect of the building of a new room at the school. [7619/97]
Arrangements are being made to expedite payment of the grants for various works at the school to which the Deputy refers. It is expected that the matter will be finalised shortly.
An agreement was made between my Department and the school management regarding the building of a new classroom at the school. A form of undertaking to pay all costs above the amount of grant aid sanctioned was completed by the school management and returned to my Department.
172 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the items currently under consideration in respect of various requests for funding approvals from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and the projects, if any, for the school which are already approved in the 1997 Estimates. [7620/97]
The school to which the Deputy refers has requested funding towards the cost of replacing windows, doors and downpipes, as well as new furniture, shelving and floor covering. As soon as a decision has been taken, my Department will be in touch with the school management.
173 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the situation in relation to St. Kevin's boys school, Finglas West, Dublin 11, which has been closed for the past week due to central heating difficulties and constant break-ins; the position with the application for approval for the erection of a perimeter fence in line with other local schools; whether this application has been approved and included in the 1997 Estimates; the position in relation to central heating repairs; and the other submissions for grants or approvals from the school, if any, which are with her Department. [7621/97]
My Department is aware of the high level of problems being experienced at St. Kevin's national school, Finglas West, Dublin 11. The question of providing grant assistance towards the cost of erecting a security fence at this school is currently under consideration in my Department. The school management will be notified when a decision has been taken.
My Department has no record of a request for grant assistance towards the cost of repairs to the heating system at this school. My Department has no record of any further request for grant approval from the school.
174 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the current position regarding a submission made some time ago for a mobile security presence for primary and secondary schools in the Finglas West area of Dublin 11, in view of repeated break-ins, particularly to St. Kevins boys school. [7622/97]
I have received the submission referred to by the Deputy. As I have previously indicated to the Deputy in my response to his question on 8 November 1995, a pilot security project, covering a number of schools in the east Finglas area, was initiated in 1993 on a temporary basis. In view of the significant cost implications I have no plans to extend the scheme to the Finglas West area or any other area at this time. However, the matter will be kept under review in the light of available resources.
