Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Foynes (Limerick) Second Level Education Facilities.

Mr. Finucane

I very much appreciate the opportunity the Chair has given me to raise this matter. I have raised the issue on two previous occasions. As a native of Foynes, and a former pupil of the local secondary school, I am most disappointed that the Department of Education has not clarified what will happen to second level education there beyond 1995.

In January 1991, the Sisters of Mercy wrote to the parents of the students stating that they would not be continuing with the provision of education beyond 1995. This caused immediate concern in the area. In February 1991 a public meeting was held in Foynes and all politicians pledged their support for the continuation of education at this location. An action committee was formed at local level and since then they have been in contact with three different Ministers for Education, Deputies Davern, O'Rourke and Brennan. Now they have been in contact with the present Minister.

The convent has 230 pupils. The parents have proposed the amalgamation of the Shanagolden Vocational School and the convent thus creating a community college in the area. This would be welcomed by the local vocational education committee. The Sisters were prepared to sell this fine educational establishment for £500,000. The action committee hired an architect who also does work for the Department of Education. He recommended that it was good value for money and in sound structural condition. The convent are now refusing to accept first year pupils. This is understandable as they cannot guarantee that they can complete their education cycle at this location. At the Shanagolden, Kilcolman, Ballyhahill, Loughill and Foynes schools there are about 86 pupils completing their primary education this year. Where will these pupils go to complete their education? Parents, pupils and teachers have been left under a cloud of uncertainty regarding the future role of the school.

On 4 March, when I last raised this matter, I was told that the officials of the Department would be submitting their report to the Minister that week and that the Minister would not be able to assess the proposals until the report had been studied.

The previous and the present Governments have delayed too long on this issue and the parents, pupils and teachers have been shabbily treated because of Ministers' indecision. The enthusiasm and commitment of the committee is to be admired. They recognised that there might be budgetary constraints but were prepared to appoint trustees and purchase the school with the possibility of the Department of Education leasing it back over a ten year period. I call on the Minister, as the fourth Minister to deal with this matter, to face up to the issue and allow the community college go ahead. I look forward to his reply.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Aylward)

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Deputy will be aware that the Mercy Order in the Diocese of Limerick announced, in 1991, its intention of withdrawing from the management of its post-primary school at Mount Trenchard, Foynes, in 1995. As the Stella Maris School is a voluntary secondary school, this decision was a matter solely for the Mercy Order.

I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the great work which the Mercy Order has carried out for many years at their school in Foynes catering for both day and boarder pupils.

The Stella Maris School is located in the West Limerick catchment area which is unique in that it has four post-primary schools located in four different locations. The three other schools are Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Askeaton, Salesian College, Pallaskenry and the Vocational School, Shanagolden.

For many years the Department has considered that some measure for rationalisation at post-primary level should be implemented in this catchment area and since the late sixties the matter has been discussed periodically with the four managements involved in post-primary education in the catchment area.

Subsequent to the Mercy Order announcing its intention to withdraw from management, the Deputy will be aware that a school action committee was formed in Foynes with the intention of keeping the Stella Maris School in operation after 1995, under a new management, County Limerick Vocational Education Committee.

The Department carefully considered a submission made by the Action Committee and the question of whether the school could be continued in operation beyond 1995 has been under consideration. One option, that of leasing the school property from the Mercy Order, has been explored but found to be unacceptable to the Sisters.

The point has now been reached where the school management has decided not to take in new pupils into first year of the junior cycle next September. The question of how best to facilitate those pupils who would formerly have enrolled in the Stella Maris School is under examination in the Department at present and, in view of the urgency of the case, it is hoped to complete the examination as soon as possible.

The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that there will continue to be a sufficient number of pupil places available to cater for all those seeking a post-primary education in the catchment area. Every effort will be made to meet this responsibility.