asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for a gymnasium at the Dún Laoghaire Community College at present in course of construction; and if he will arrange to have the gymnasium provided in the college.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Dún Laoghaire Community College Gynasium .
17.
: It has not been found possible to meet the request of the Dún Laoghaire Vocational Education Committee for the construction of a physical education hall at their school in Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire. The matter will be further considered in the context of the capital to be made available to my Department in 1981.
: Is the Minister aware that the committee, the students and teachers of this large complex are gravely concerned that there is no such facility in the school? Is the Minister aware that there is a dire need for such a gymnasium and that repeated representations were made to him, and the Department, on the matter? Is the Minister also aware that the teachers concerned, to say the least, are completely disillusioned at the failure to provide this facility in the college?
: I am aware of the size of the college and of its needs but, as of now, I do not have the capital available for such a building.
: In view of the big number of students attending this college, the fact that it is based in an urban area and that the students are deprived of recreational facilities will the Minister consider favourably giving a grant towards the erection of a gymnasium in next year's capital allocation?
: I accept the major and minor premise in the Deputy's argument but I have such a large demand that I am afraid I am not able to meet it in this case at this time.
: Is the Minister aware that there has been no provision in an area which has a population of 100,000 catered for by Dún Laoghaire VEC in the form of a gymnasium? The Minister has found it possible in south county Dublin in relation to other major schools to provide this facility. There is no doubt in the minds of the people of the area, the teachers and parents of the children of the college, that there is an element of discrimination against them in this regard.
: I should like to reject the suggestion that there is any discrimination in regard to an area of the educational world by me.
: The criteria were never released and the only assumption is that Dún Laoghaire VEC do not matter to the Department.
: I appreciate that the Deputy has a brief for the area.