Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 1979

Vol. 311 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Knocknaheeny (Cork) Primary Education Facilities.

11.

Mr. Horgan

asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to the proposed new primary education facilities at Knocknaheeny, Cork: (1) the date on which his Department received a proposal for a new primary school or primary schools to serve the area; (2) the number of schools proposed to be built at Knocknaheeny; (3) the estimated total cost of each school (4) the percentage of the cost of each school which will be met from local sources; (5) if the school or schools concerned will be single-sex or co-educational; (6) the exact location of each school or projected school; (7) if sanction has already been given by his Department in relation to a school or schools at Knocknaheeny; (8) the date on which sanction or sanctions were given; and (9) details of the school or schools to which such sanctions refer.

12.

Mr. Horgan

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the majority of the parents of the Knocknaheeny area of Cork city are in favour of a co-educational primary school for their children; if he is not so aware, if he will take steps to ascertain the preferences of the parents concerned; and whether he will, in either case, ensure that their wishes in this matter are respected.

13.

Mr. E. Collins

asked the Minister for Education the consultations which have taken place regarding the establishment of a boys' and girls' school at Knocknaheeny, Cork; if he is aware of the parents' education action group, and their expressed wish for a co-educational school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.

Application for a building grant for new school accommodation at Knocknaheeny, Cork, was made to my Department on 11 August 1977. Approval, in principle, was given on 25 October 1977 for the provision of two 16-classroom schools for the area. It is intended that accommodation be provided initially in one 16-classroom building and that additional accommodation be provided later, as required. Both schools will be located on the same site, in the townland of Hollyhill. It is estimated that the two schools will cost about £760,000.

Details regarding the financing of the school buildings are regarded as confidential between the Department and the school authorities. The question as to whether or not the new schools should be organised on a co-educational basis is a matter for local decision.

Mr. Horgan

I ask the Minister to reply specifically to Question No. 12 in which I asked if he was aware that the majority of the parents in the area are in favour of a co-educational primary school.

Mr. Wilson

When I got the Deputy's question I asked my Roinn cigire in the area to report to me on it and he said that he was quite happy that the decisions taken by the Department to go ahead with the building of the school was what the parents in the area wanted.

Mr. Horgan

Is the Minister aware that a survey was carried out in the area in response to which a majority of the parents indicated a wish for coeducation? Is he further aware that one of his colleagues, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Wyse, accepted an invitation to act as a monitor in that survey and has not queried the authenticity of it?

Mr. Wilson

All I know is that an application came to me to build a school which was very badly needed in the area. When I got the question from the Deputy I consulted the Roinn cigire for the area and he is satisfied that the wishes of the parents and the good of education are being served by the decision taken by my Department.

Mr. Horgan

Is the Minister saying to the parents in the area who wanted that co-educational school for their children of primary school age now that they can expect no help from him for a co-educational school?

Mr. Wilson

On the contrary, they are getting more help from me than they got from any Minister hitherto and the schools are being planned and are going ahead and they will be adequately catered for. As I said in my reply, the actual decision about what kind of schools they would be is a matter for local decision.

Mr. Horgan

In the light of the local management structure in which parents are in a minority on the board of management and have no right to insist unless he chooses to insist that the school be a co-educational school, is he now saying effectively that he is going to leave it to the controlling interests on the board of management to decide whether the school will be co-educational, regardless of the wishes of the parents?

Mr. Wilson

I have no line one way or another on whether it is co-educational or not.

Mr. Horgan

It will be a disappointment to the parents.

Mr. Wilson

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I may be able to finish the sentence. A substantial amount of money has been allocated, we intend to build good schools there, the people in the area will have the education they want in accordance with their own wishes, and I assure the Deputy that nothing in my Department will be left undone in achieving that objective.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 14 is for written reply.