School Building Programme
Horgan pressed Wilson for the results of a survey and examples of obsolete second-level schools replaced. Wilson cited rising building expenditure and new schools, but declined to name a replacement; the remaining turns dealt with written replies and question procedure.
asked the Minister for Education the results of the special survey initiated by him into the school building programme to cope with existing suburban pressures and to replace obsolete schools, as announced by him in response to Question No. 28 of 15 November 1977.
Comment on this
The school building programme for 1978 was accelerated.
The outturn for the year was £33,681,000 compared with the initial estimate provision of £30,645,000. In the current year, the allocation for the school building programme has been increased to £37,975,000.
Comment on this
Would the Minister accept that the question is framed directly in relation to the Fianna Fáil manifesto commitment?
Comment on this
Could the Minister give me the name of any number or of at least one obsolete school at second level that he has replaced since he came into office?
Comment on this
If the Deputy puts down a question about obsolete schools I will answer it but I want to tell him that in this year I have had made available to me by the Government £51 million for the capital programme for education. I am just one year and seven months in office and when I took office the Book read £28,700,000. These stubborn facts speak for themselves.
Comment on this
Does the Minister accept that the question specifically related to the commitment to replace obsolete schools and that it is extraordinary that one year and seven months after coming into office he is not able to say whether he has replaced any obsolete schools.
Comment on this
The Deputy has two parts in his question about suburban pressures and obsolete schools. I am pointing out to him that in 1978 I have built new schools, replaced obsolete schools by new schools and built new schools in new areas on a scale never before achieved in this country.
Comment on this
If the Minister is now certain that he has replaced obsolete schools perhaps he could tell me one of them?
Comment on this
I am telling the Deputy and the House that £51 million is the capital allocation for educational building this year and Deputies on the opposite side should be on their feet clapping me for it.
Comment on this
Questions Nos. 31, 32, 33 and 34 have gone for written reply. We may have time to take No. 35 now.
Comment on this
On a point of order—perhaps I did not make it clear to the questions office that I was prepared to take a written reply to that also. The Minister may not have it.