I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £22,500 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1959, for Grants to Universities and Colleges, including certain Grants-in-Aid.
The provision in this Supplementary Estimate of a grant of £22,500 to University College, Dublin, towards the cost of adaptation of premises is necessary to enable the college to supply additional laboratory and lecturing space for students in the department of chemistry. The number of students taking the degree in science has increased so much that there has been great overcrowding in the department of chemistry and it has been necessary to triplicate classes, involving a great strain on the necessarily small staff. It was ascertained by the college authorities that some relief could be obtained without undue delay by effecting structural alterations within portion of the existing premises at Upper Merrion Street which would result in the provision of laboratory working space for 120 more students together with a lecture theatre to seat 120 students. The Office of Public Works have been consulted in regard to the plans and it is felt that the adaptation of the premises in accordance with these plans will provide a solution to this urgent problem at a reasonable cost.
With regard to the completion of the work, the work was planned in two stages, the first stage (lower floor) to be completed by the date of opening of the 1958-59 academic year and the second stage (upper floor) to be completed by early January, 1959. The work was carried out accordingly and the second stage was completed early this year.