asked the Minister for Education if it will be possible to accommodate all the applicants for secondary school education in Cork city at the commencement of the new school term in September next; and if he will give full details of the number of applicants and the number who can be admitted to secondary schools at term commencement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Admission to Cork Secondary Schools.
51.
Mr. Barrett
Mr. O'Malley
I refer the Deputy to my statement in the House on 20th July, in reply to a similar question relating to secondary school places in Limerick city.
While I have not details of applications for admission to secondary schools, the result of a survey which my Department has made of the post-primary education position in Cork city discloses that the number of school places available is 7,500 and that the pupil potential is in the region of 8,000 increasing to 9,000 in the 1970s. Of the available places 6,500 are in secondary schools and 1,000 in vocational schools.
Prefabricated classrooms are being provided to meet any extra demand which may arise next September. In addition, six new secondary school buildings, three extensions to secondary school buildings and two extensions to vocational schools are being planned as follows:
North Monastery, a new school to accommodate 650 pupils.
Christian Brothers, Deerpark, a new school, 450 places.
Presentation Brothers, Bishopstown, a new school, 500 places.
North Presentation Convent, a new school, 550 places.
Sacred Heart Convent, Turner's Cross, a new school, 450 places.
Mount Mercy, Bishopstown, a new school, 400 places.
There will be extensions at:
Glasheen Secondary School, Ursuline Convent and St. Marie's of the Isle where the future accommodation will be 200 places, 300 places and 600 places, respectively.
Further extensions at Sawmill Street Vocational School and the School of Commerce and Domestic Science will provide 350 and 175 extra places respectively.
(Cavan): Can the Minister say if these extensions have taken place?
Mr. O'Malley
These are in course of planning, on top of the other figures I have given.
(Cavan): When does the Minister think they will be available to accommodate the pupils?
Mr. O'Malley
It depends. Some of them are at an advanced stage of planning and some plans have been approved. I could not say accurately.
(Cavan): Might it be two years?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes, for all of them, finally.