asked the Minister for Education (a) when the board of management of the secondary school at Dublin Hill, Cork will be appointed; (b) the form of management proposed; (c) if local people will be consulted; (d) when the principal will be appointed; and (e) the catchment area covered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork School Management.
5.
A decision will be made shortly on the form of management for the new post-primary school at Dublin Hill, Cork, following which a board of management will be set up. Any views expressed by the local community will be taken into account in arriving at a decision.
The principal will be appointed as soon as possible after the board of management has been set up. The school is intended to cater primarily for the Glen and adjoining areas.
Would the Minister not agree that time is moving on and it is vital that these decisions be taken quickly? Her reply is not satisfactory. Who is consulting with the local people on the type of school they want? There is also the question of the appointment of the principal. The decisions are being delayed and it is imperative that they be made as quickly as possible. I am very disappointed to hear from the Minister that the principal of this school, which was to open in September, has not yet been decided. The reply is very unsatisfactory.
I regret very much that the Deputy should feel that way. I agree with him that any delays in matters like this are unsatisfactory. Unfortunately in this case there are apparently quite divergent views from different sections concerning the kind of school this will be — whether it will be a community college or a community school. The County Cork VEC apparently are very anxious that it should be a community college and there are other views that it should be a community school. On the question of consultation with local interests involved we are very anxious that that should take place and any views which parents' representatives or the local community association may wish to offer will be taken into account. I do not believe we have had such views offered to date.
Whose responsibility is it to get the views of the people? Are the people to come together themselves and submit their views or is it the responsibility of the Department or the VEC? There is a complete breakdown of communication here which is very unsatisfactory.
I do not accept that there is a breakdown in communication. In fact, I have a very large file of correspondence with very many interest groups on this question and I can assure the Deputy that all such views are being taken into account and the whole process is being undertaken as quickly as possible.
It is obvious there is a lack of communication from the Minister's reply.