asked the Minister for Education his plans for the future of primary and post-primary education in the Portmarnock area, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Schools.
82.
Mr. R. Burke
The existing primary school in Portmarnock is being enlarged to cater for extra pupils. The school will eventually have accommodation for 600-700 pupils.
Portmarnock is a rapidly developing area and it is estimated that four new 16 classroom schools will be required.
It is envisaged that the post-primary needs of the Portmarnock/Malahide area will be catered for, initially, by the community school which is being provided in Malahide. A separate school will be provided in the Portmarnock area at a later date should such a development prove to be warranted.
83.
asked the Minister for Education the progress that is being made in the provision of a new post-primary school in Swords, County Dublin.
Mr. R. Burke
The provision of a new school to cater for 800 pupils has been sanctioned by the Department. Steps are being taken by the vocational education committee to acquire a site from the local authority. Discussions are meanwhile taking place between my Department's officers and the committee's chief executive officer, to establish the nature and the amount of the accommodation which will be required.
84.
asked the Minister for Education his plans for the future of post-primary education in the Skerries area, County Dublin.
Mr. R. Burke
It is proposed to cater for the development of post-primary education in Skerries by the provision of a single mixed school in the centre. The question of the management of the latter school is to be further discussed with the school authorities involved.
85.
asked the Minister for Education his plans for the future of post primary education in the Balbriggan area, County Dublin.
Mr. R. Burke
There are two post-primary schools in Balbriggan which have adequate facilities, with the addition as required of mobile prefabricated classrooms, to cater for the short term needs of the area. In the longer term it is proposed to develop a single mixed school to cater for the future needs of the area.
86.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that a number of girls are unable to gain admittance to Saint Paul's secondary school, Greenhills, Walkinstown, County Dublin; and if he will take steps to provide the necessary accommodation to facilitate them so that they can be admitted to this school.
Mr. R. Burke
The information available to me indicates that the accommodation at present in the school together with three extra classrooms being provided is sufficient to cater for the number of pupils seeking enrolment. As the Deputy is aware, a major extension to this school is in course of planning. Any increase in the enrolment will be catered for in the short term by way of temporary mobile prefabricated classrooms.
Is the Minister aware that a number of children have failed to gain admission to the school this year? I appreciate the fact that the provision of a number of pre-fabs has reduced the number but there are still some children unable to gain admission?
Mr. R. Burke
It is understood from the school manager that something between eight and 12 pupils have been refused enrolment in the school for 1973-74 on the basis that these extra pupils would necessitate a remedial class being formed and require an extra teacher and extra accommodation which she assumed would not be provided. That extra accommodation would not, in fact, be required and an application for an extra remedial teacher is currently under consideration by the Department.
87.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that a number of boys are unable to gain admittance to Scoil Naomh Peadar, Limekiln Road, Walkinstown, County Dublin; and if he will state the plans his Department have to provide accommodation for them.
88.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for an additional permanent extension to Scoil Naomh Peadar, Limekiln Road, Walkinstown, County Dublin, to cater for the increased number of pupils; and if his Department has any plans to provide this extension.
Mr. R. Burke
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The necessity for additional accommodation at Scoil Naomh Peadar, Walkinstown, has been brought to the attention of my Department and proposals are in hand for the provision of 16 additional classrooms at the school. In the meantime, as a temporary expedient, sanction has been given for the erection of two additional prefabricated classrooms to cater for immediate requirements. It is hoped to have these rooms available on the reopening of the school after the summer vacation.