asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, she intends taking to ensure the acceptance of the remaining applicants for places in the Portmarnock community school, County Dublin, for the school year commencing 1987-88.
Written Answers. - Dublin Schools.
126.
I am aware a limited number of parents in the Portmarnock area who wished to enrol their children for September 1987 at Portmarnock community school have been unable to do so. While the school's intake policy is essentially a matter for the board of management, my Department is in correspondence with the board on the matter. I should point out that in the second level schools in areas immediately adjoining, and readily accessible from, Portmarnock spare accommodation exists and will continue to become available to an increasing extent. There is no question, therefore, of pupils from the Portmarnock area being unable to secure a place in a second level school. My Department's primary concern is to ensure that sufficient post-primary accommodation is available to meet the demand.
127.
asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the purchase of the site for a much needed second level school in Portmarnock, County Dublin, in particular the action taken to advance this matter in the past two months; and the steps, if any, she has taken, or proposes to take, to ensure the building, staffing and opening of that school by September 1988.
My Department has not yet succeeded in acquiring a site for a proposed second post-primary school at Portmarnock. Until a site has been purchased it is not possible to say how quickly the proposed school could be planned and continued.
This case is the subject of an urgent review currently being undertaken by my Department in the light of the capital allocation for 1987, the need for post-primary places in this general area, and my Department's other commitments and priorities.
128.
asked the Minister for Education her views on the bad financial situation of St. Mary's Place CBS, Dublin 7; and the financial assistance she intends to make available to this school.
I am aware of the financial circumstances of this school which are unfortunately not unique. The capitation grant is paid by my Department to assist in the payment of the day-to-day running costs of a national school. The payment of this grant is regulated by the published conditions which are of general application and this school has received its appropriate entitlement of grant this year.
Under the Rules for National Schools, management authorities of schools are charged with the responsibility for raising from local sources whatever funds are necessary, in supplement of the State grants, to keep schools in operation.
129.
asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is considered to be in a disadvantaged area; and the criteria required to obtain sanction for a second special class.
St. Catherine's junior national school and St. Catherine's senior girls' national school, Cabra, were selected to participate in a programme of special educational measures for disadvantaged areas. The scheme provides for special grants for books and equipment, the promotion of home-schoolcommunity liaison initiatives and special in-service training for the teachers concerned.
The schools did not apply and, therefore, were not considered under the scheme of additional teacher assistance for schools in areas of disadvantage. The senior school does, however, benefit from the services of a remedial teacher. This post is over and above the staffing quota which the enrolment warrants under the rules.
With regard to the sanction of a second special class and teacher, a minimum enrolment of 15 is necessary for a special class for mildly mentally handicapped pupils. Since only 17 such pupils are currently enrolled (at the senior school), the recognition of a second such class would not be warranted.
130.
asked the Minister for Education regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 if (1) the commitment made by her Department to allow extra teachers to cope with a merger situation shall continue; (2) an equipment grant will be made available in 1987; (3) grant assistance will be given to the school authorities to help deal with structural defects to the school building and yard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school has currently a staff considerably in excess of normal quota. Furthemore, there has been a significant decline in enrolments since the previous school year.
In common with other schools, the staffing of this school for 1987-88 will be reviewed shortly and my Department will communicate with the school authorities in the matter. If an application for a grant for equipment is received, it will be considered under the terms of the relevant scheme.
The school building referred to by the Deputy was, I understand, provided in 1979, having been designed by consultants in private practice engaged by the school authorities. It has been explained to the chairperson of the board of management that it is a matter for the school authorities to approach the consultants in the first instance for their views and recommendations. It would be open to the school authorities in certain circumstances to apply to my Department for grant assistance towards the cost of necessary works, but that aspect of the matter will not arise for consideration until the consultants' report has been fully examined.