asked the Minister for Education when the application for additional accommodation was received from Our Lady of Mercy secondary school, Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin; the date when the present building was inspected by his Department; the number of units of accommodation which his Department consider urgently necessary to meet the demands of this school; and when work is likely to commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School.
18.
The application for the provision of additional accommodation was received from Our Lady of Mercy secondary school, Drimnagh, Dublin in the spring of 1973. Following this application, the first phase of the work, comprising science and home economics facilities together with improvements to toilets and cloakrooms was completed in 1974. Planning for the second phase of the scheme has been initiated and in connection with this phase an inspection of the present building was made by my Department on January 26th last. It is considered that 14 classrooms will be required to meet the growing demands of the school.
Does the Minister not think there was undue delay from the period in 1974 when the application was made to the date when the inspection was carried out by his Department in January of this year?
I do not think so. I am not sure that the second phase of the application was in 1974. I think it was later, but I am not sure of that.
It was in 1974-75. Has the Minister's office confirmed to him that the projects for the school are correct?
I do not know what the Deputy means. What projects?
Did the Minister's office confirm to him, after the inspection, that the extensions sought are justified?
Does the Deputy mean the inspection on 26th January, 1977?
Yes.
That is the recent one. At the moment that is subject to examination in my Department. I cannot say whether they have agreed to it yet. It was only within the past five or six weeks that the inspection took place.
It is quite apparent that they are necessary and desirable. After this long delay of approximately three years—the present facilities are inadequate and there is an undue burden on students and teachers—will the Minister ensure that priority is given to the 14 classrooms which are necessary to meet the requirements in the area? Is the Minister further aware that but for the dedication of the staff in the area a serious situation would exist? Is he further aware——
Let us have brevity.
——that this is the only area in Dublin city with a population of 40,000 that has not got a secondary school? Will the Minister take immediate steps to ensure that this area gets exactly the same concessions as other areas——
I hesitate to intervene but the Deputy insists on making a long speech.
——and that the pupils in the Drimnagh area get the same educational concessions as other areas at the earliest possible moment?
Deputy Dowling, please.
I am asking the Minister——
I have no hesitation in giving that assurance.
Question No. 19.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
A brief question, Deputy.
Can the Minister indicate when the report of this examination will be available? It took place in January of this year after a lapse of three years.
I am sure it will be very shortly.
What does the Minister mean by "very shortly"?
Very soon.
Does he mean another three years?
As soon as possible.
Question No. 19.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, I am a bit confused——
Deputy Dowling will resume his seat.
The Deputy has no idea of the effect he is having on me.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Dowling will please resume his seat.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature——
I want to assist the Deputy to elicit information but I want to persuade him that at Question Time he may not make statements or speeches.
He asked questions.
They were very long questions in omnibus form. A final brief question.
My question will not be as long as the delay in providing accommodation for this school which took three years.
That is not so.
It is so. The application for the extension was made in 1974-75 and it was not inspected until 1977 which showed a complete and absolute disregard for the children of the Drimnagh area.
That is not true.
It is true.
There will be no undue delay in providing the classrooms which are necessary in this area.
In view of the fact that the report on a small unit like this cannot possibly be voluminous, would the Minister undertake to take one hour off to read this report which was made in January, 1977? I know he is under pressure from other things but he could read a report like that in one hour.
I can assure the House that, when it comes to providing facilities for schools in any part of the country, the Minister will take off all the time necessary.
Would the Minister——
Next question.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Dowling please. Next question.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
If the Deputy persists in barracking the Chair he must accept the consequences. I will communicate with the Deputy.
19.
asked the Minister for Education when his Department will make available to Our Lady of Mercy secondary school, Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, the £6,000 necessary to provide grids for windows because of the urgent necessity to ensure proper protection of school property.
Under the terms of the scheme for the payment of grants towards the building of secondary schools, I am not in a position to provide grants towards the cost of supplying protective window grids at Our Lady of Mercy school, Drimnagh, Dublin.
Can the Minister indicate whether his Department have examined this application, the economic aspect of it as against the disruption in the lives of the students having regard to the small cost involved?
Under the scheme for the payment of grants towards the building of secondary schools it would not be eligible for a grant.
Is there any scheme under which it would qualify?
I do not think so.
Would the Minister ask somebody to examine the situation and see if it is necessary to alter the regulations to ensure matters like this get the consideration they deserve?
I am quite willing, but the Deputy must understand that the consequences of examining it and coming to a conclusion that we should provide relatively small sums for the protection of schools would be that the money available for the erection of schools would be diminished and fewer schools would be built.
If he examines the situation the Minister might be convinced that there is a case to be made for this application.
Deputy Wilson.
Further arising——
Deputy Dowling, I have intervened. You will resume your seat.
I always have to sit down.
Would the Minister not agree—and if he does not agree he is wrong—that a slight increase in the capitation grant would enable this school to put up these grids?
I will examine that question. I am not sure that it would solve the problem in this case.
Deputy Tunney.
One last question.
Deputy Tunney has been called.
Would the Minister say whether it would be worthwhile carrying out a survey as to the amount of damage which has occurred to schools in Dublin and elsewhere and which has to be paid for one way or another? Having regard to the increase in values the time has come when it might be wise to endeavour to protect our schools better against these attacks and this might be cheaper in the long run.
There is merit in that Informally and at a minimum cost I would be willing to see what damage has been done and see exactly what the cost will be.