asked the Minister for Education in relation to the proposed extension of the de la Salle School, Roebuck Road, Dublin 14, the amount and nature of the building grants offered by his Department; and if classes in the senior cycle will be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School Extension.
8.
It has been decided, with the agreement of the de la Salle Order, not to proceed with the proposed new school in Roebuck but to concentrate development on the de la Salle school, St. Benildus College. Planning is going ahead on this basis and when the required accommodation is available in St. Benildus the Roebuck school will be phased out. St. Benildus College will provide comprehensive facilities up to leaving certificate level.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary explain what he means by the consent and co-operation of the de la Salle Order? I understood that some years ago a school to cater for over 500 pupils was recommended by the Dublin Diocesan Advisory Committee and sanctioned by the Department. Architects were commissioned and plans were submitted. Would the Parliamentary Secretary now do something to allay the justifiable anxiety of those parents who have children at that school and whose children will not be able to proceed to the senior cycle leaving certificate in that area? Would he also bear in mind the fact that there are very few boys' schools in the vicinity although there are something like five girls' schools?
I can inform the Deputy that the de la Salle Order communicated, in fact, to the Department that they are ready to go along with the proposals of the Department.
When was this decision reached?
Acceptance of the proposal was conveyed from the de la Salle Order over a month ago.
Then I got a most strange letter from the Minister which did not convey the information Deputy Burke has extracted now.