asked the Minister for Education if he will give immediate approval to the permanent extension to the River Valley national school, Swords.
13.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swords (Dublin) National School Extension.
6.
asked the Minister for Education the reasons for the delay in providing phase three consisting of eight classrooms to the Holy Family national school, River Valley, Swords, County Dublin: and when a contract will be signed to allow this project to proceed in time for an intake of pupils in September 1987.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 13 together.
My Department has received sketch plans from the school authorities for the provision of a further eight classrooms and ancillary accommodation at the Holy Family national school, River Valley, Swords, County Dublin and these are being examined. My Department will in the near future be in communication with the chairperson with a view to agreeing the level of local contribution for the project.
Detailed design work may then be undertaken by the school authorities but the question of authorising the invitation of tenders will not arise for consideration until this phase of planning has been completed satisfactorily. I am not in a position at this point to say when building works may commence.
With regard to the delay in providing the future phase of building referred to in the questions, the Deputies must be aware that my Department are currently, and have been for some time, processing a considerable volume of applications for grant assistance for national schools and it is no longer practicable for my Department to provide grants for buildings before the need actually arises. At present these schools at River Valley have a total staff of two principal teachers and 21 assistant teachers. The original building provided 16 classrooms of traditional construction, and at present a further phase of building comprising eight semi-permanent classrooms is under construction and nearing completion, with grant-aid from my Department. This will give a total of 24 classrooms coming into 1987. The third phase of building would bring the accommodation up to 32 classrooms, which should be sufficient to provide for the projected enrolments for some time to come.
While every effort will be made to provide sufficient accommodation to cater for the enrolments expected in September of next year, I would not be in a position at this point, having regard to the prevailing financial constraints, to give an absolute commitment that the accommodation will be available precisely on the date required. I have no doubt that suitable arrangements can be made should there be a timelag in the completion of the third phase of building. I hope, however, that such timelag if it arises will be of minimal duration.
We had a mouthful from the Minister of State just now. I wish to vehemently protest at the absence of the Minister to answer these questions. The Minister of State said that he is not prepared to sanction this before the need arises. Is he aware that the parents in the area feel so strongly about this issue that over 100 of them were protesting outside the Dáil this morning? Is he prepared to accept that full planning permission has been given for the permanent classrooms? Why is there a delay in going through sketch plans and the level of local contributions? The most distressing part of the Minister's answer is that he is not prepared to give a commitment that he will sanction the extra permanent classrooms.
A question, please.
The Minister made the insulting remark that he is sure that suitable arrangements and facilities could be made even if the school is not finished next year. The children already go to school in shifts, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and from 12 noon to 3 p.m. They are suffering from illness and disease because there is no air.
Far be it from me to insult the Deputy or anybody else. The answer I gave was a general reply. The need in River Valley has already been recognised and approval has been given. Work is proceeding in that context as fast as possible. There were difficulties with the local authority in regard to planning as the pitch of the roof had to be changed. I am not prepared to give an absolute commitment now that the accommodation will be available on the precise date because I cannot do so. However, I assure the Deputy that this case is receiving daily consideration within the Department. I am aware that 100 parents marched outside the gates of Leinster House today.
The Minister is aware that classes are taken in shifts. Can he confirm that that will not be the position in 1987? Can he also confirm that he will continue to pass the different stages of planning as expeditiously as possible? The Minister approved the sketch plans in three weeks, will he now confirm that he will continue the schools top priority listing so that we can hope to see tenders sought by the end of the year? Is he aware——
The Deputy should leave it at that.
You were extremely lenient with Deputy Burke so I am appealing for the same consideration.
I did my best with Deputy Burke, I hope I will not have to work as hard with Deputy Owen.
Is the Minister aware that it is a green field site and that there are no buildings available for temporary accommodation which might be the case in an older area?
The rats are doing a Highland Fling in Dundrum.
Deputy Owen's point was made perfectly clear to me at a deputation I met on 17 September last and she can take it that priority is being given to this case because we regard it as very urgent. The Department expect to be in consultation with the chairman within a fortnight in regard to the level of the local contribution. It is then up to the chairman's architect to prepare the working drawing, subsequent to which the bill of quantities can be prepared, tenders invited and contracts placed.
The Minister of State gave the impression that the holdup was due to a planning delay in the local authority. Will the Minister of State confirm that there is full planning permission for a permanent extension and that the delay is as a result of the Department deciding to change the pitch of the roof? The school could be under way now if the present plans had been accepted.
That is completely untrue. The Deputy is well aware of what was involved in this case.
Full planning permission is available for that site.
Not in respect of the building now proposed.
The Minister is well aware that the manager wants the school to be built and there is no point in implying that he is holding up the level of the local contribution. Everybody in the area wants it and it was promised for September 1987 but the Minister said that this may not be the case.
I said I could not give a commitment as to the availability of the accommodation on the precise date required. I am sure that Deputy Burke, in his capacity as Chairman of Dublin County Council, will see to it that there will be no difficulties with planning permission in that regard.
Will the Minister confirm that the reason for a new planning application is that a design fault has been found in the original building and the school's architect has advised that a new shaped roof should be installed for the benefit of pupils and teachers alike?
That is correct.
The people in River Valley are suffering.
The reason for the change in design arose as a result of discussions between professional people. I am not competent to talk professionally in that regard. I do not expect any difficulties in relation to planning permission and, when the Department have been in contact with the chairman regarding the level of local contributions, the architect can then proceed with working drawings. I am sure there will be no undue delay.
Why has the Minister not been in touch with him before now?
I am in daily contact with people from River Valley.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.