asked the Minister for Education the reason his Department have decided not to proceed with the purchase of a site and the construction of a permanent building for Gaelscoil Míde in Donaghmede, Dublin 13, since this school received full recognition from the Department three years ago, has fulfilled all the required conditions, whose pupils and staff are suffering considerably from the temporary accommodation at present housing them with this accommodation split between three buildings on either side of Main St. Baldoyle, while a fine school site is available in Donaghmede, the home of 80 per cent of the pupils; and if he will now proceed to purchase the site.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaelscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath.
10.
It is not true, as the Deputy's question would suggest, that my Department have decided not to proceed with the purchase of a site for a new permanent school for Gaelscoil Míde in Donaghmede, Dublin 13. The school authorities will be aware that the purchase price sought for the site was considered to be excessive and that negotiations have not yet been concluded. It was also made clear to representatives of the school in the course of a recent meeting in my Department that because of the current difficult financial climate it would not be possible for my Department to provide an allocation for the purchase of the site in the current financial year. It was also indicated to them that the Department had become aware of the possibility of suitable existing accommodation being available in the area and that the Department were obliged under current policy guidelines to reserve decisions on the provision of capital for new school buildings until it was evident that sufficient suitable accommodation was not available in existing school buildings within a reasonable distance.
My Department will be completing their inquiries and negotiations in these matters with all possible speed and will then communicate with the school authorities without delay.
Will the Minister of State indicate when official recognition was given to Gaelscoil Míde? He stated there has been no change of policy. Will he agree that a couple of years ago when a suitable site was identified and a price tag put on it, no matter how firm or otherwise, the Valuation Office confirmed they were not satisfied but gave an indication as to what might be satisfactory. Will the Minister confirm this? Because of the tremendous work done by the board in this case, the price tag has now been reduced to what could be considered a satisfactory level or consistent with the original level indicated by the Valuation Office.
This all-Irish school was provisionally recognised by the Department in 1981 and was given permanent recognition in 1983. I am aware of the valuation the Valuation Office put on the site and there was quite a deal of difference between that and the price per acre demanded by the vendor. I am not aware that this price has been reduced but I know that discussions have not yet concluded in that regard. I am also aware, as was made known to the meeting in the Department, that there is a possibility of sites becoming available in the parochial school in the general area and discussions in that regard have not concluded yet either.
Will the Minister say if the board have confirmed, at least informally, to his Department the level at which the price tag now stands and have reminded his Department that it is consistent with the original valuation officer's report? Will he now accept that there has been a shift in policy with regard to this Gaelscoil? The initial negotiations were on the basis of the purchase of a suitable permanent site in or around the general locality. He has now put it to us that departmental policy is that alternatives in terms of existing school buildings should be looked at. That, in fact, marks a shift in policy in relation to Gaelsocial Míde.
I do not have the precise information with regard to the level of price demanded in respect of the site——
But the Minister's Department were advised it was consistent with the original valuation.
—— but I will have that checked and will communicate with the Deputy. Under the programme for action at present in operation by the Department, it is necessary that in the event of suitable accommodation becoming available in an area it is not really feasible to provide grant aid for new buildings. Our discussions on those two fronts have not yet been concluded. When they are the matter will be pursued further.
A final supplementary question.
I put it to the Minister that that is a very definite new shift in policy in relation to the Gaelscoil. I am only responding, a Cheann Comhairle, to the Minister's mention of the programme for action. This represents a very definite news shift in policy, particularly in relation to Gaelscoil Míde. Is he now saying to me, to the board and to this House that the Department are taking a new direction in relation to their consideration of what might be suitable? Is he saying the Department are satisfied that a primary school building in existence in the area in an English language environment is regarded as an appropriate environment for a Gaelscoil?
First, it was communicated direct to the school authorities that there would not be finance available to purchase a site in this current financial year. Secondly, it is necessary that under the current policy guidelines being pursued by the Department alternative suitable accommodation, if available, should be examined prior to proceeding any further. Thirdly, discussions in relation to the site purchase price and the availability of suitable accommodation are not yet concluded. When they are we will then proceed with the matter.
We cannot go on with more supplementaries.
It is not a shift in policy.
Will the Minister accept that three years was a satisfactory length of time during which to consider whether a separate site was educationally desirable in terms of lán Ghaelach or that an alternative one — that is a section of an existing primary school building — would be adequate or appropriate? Will he not accept that three years was time enough to come up with a definite policy? will he also accept that the price element, while important was just one separate aspect?
This is the last supplementary.
I have no intention of being argumentative.
It has not been decided not to proceed with the purchase of a site for this school, but under current policy guidelines it is necessary to pursue the course which I have outlined. When those conclusions have been completed, we shall then proceed ahead.
How soon?
I am allowing Deputy Lyons a very short question.
Ceist an-bheag i dtaobh an pholasaí atá luaite ag an Aire Stait: Is the Minister confirming that the policy now being introduced by his Department with regard to gaelscoileanna is the reason or cause for new gaelscoileanna not being given the sanction to go ahead? There are two in Cork, in Parklands and Mahon. Is that the reason for those schools not being approved?
Those two schools are referred to in a later question.
If there were not free sites available, there would not be any of them.