asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding the proposed post-primary school for Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jobstown Community College.
9.
All matters relating to the provision of a new school building to accommodate Jobstown Community College are under examination in my Department. When this examination is completed I will be in a position to make a full statement on the subject.
Will the Minister agree that she gave a firm commitment to a deputation that this school would get under way right away because it is so urgently needed, that a commitment was given by one of the Fianna Fáil Deputies in the area to a public meeting of parents, and that this stock answer has been coming out for months now? I ask the Minister to state specifically: is the money being provided in the Estimates for this school in 1988?
Prior to getting to that point, as the Deputy knows quite well, there was great difficulty in acquiring a site for the new school and the liquidator has indicated verbally, within the past few days, that he is prepared to accept the Department's offer for the property. In answer to the other part of the question, my Department have undertaken now an urgent re-examination of the post primary accommodation needs of the area, bearing in mind the significant downturn in demand for second level places.
Does the Minister not agree that this college is already in existence using another school premises? Does she agree that she gave a commitment to a deputation from this school who called on her not all that long ago that finance was provided to her and her Department to commence the building of this school in 1987 or 1988? Will she confirm that now to the House?
In answer to the first part of the question I am aware that Jobstown Community College is at present accommodated in Brookfield Community School which has accommodation for 1,000 pupils with enrolments in the current year of 383 pupils. In the light of that fact and also in the light of the fact that there is a significant downturn in enrolments in post primary schools in that area, it would behove a Department operating in difficult financial times to review the situation.
I have already asked the question twice. But I do not mind asking it the third time.
More repetition is not in order.
I will ask and ask until I get an answer. Did the Minister give the commitment to the deputation that the funds were provided for and available in her Department to build this school in 1987-88 and are they in fact available in her Department to that end?
The Deputy is losing track of the fact that the enrolments have decreased significantly, that there is a community school.
Did the Minister give the commitment last year?
There is a school with a capacity for 1,000 places at which are enrolled 381 pupils. If Deputy Taylor thinks that that makes economic sense, then words fail me.
The Minister has not answered the question.
We are not going to debate this matter today. The Deputy has other ways and means of pursuing this matter.
I have asked a question of the Minister. I have asked her for a clear statement. Did she give a commitment? She refused to answer the question. This is one of the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin and the Minister refuses to answer yes or no. Did she give a commitment to the deputation?
(Interruptions.)
I rely on you, a Cheann Comhairle——
I have given the Deputy every latitude. The Chair is not responsible for the Minister's answers. The Chair is not and never was responsible in this area.
As a backbench Deputy in this House, I seek the protection of the Chair at Question Time in trying to secure a simple straightforward answer to a perfectly valid supplementary question. I am sure the Chair will agree with me that it is a perfectly valid supplementary question. I am asking did the Minister give that commitment to the deputation. What is the difficulty about answering it? I do not understand.
The Deputy has asked the question on numerous occasions.
That is all right. The failure to answer will speak for itself on the record of this House, and it will appear, and the people of Jobstown will know about it. I can assure the Minister of that.
Any commitment which was or was not given is now contained in the answer I have given showing a school with places for 1,000 pupils occupied by 381 pupils. That cannot make economic sense.
Did you give a commitment?
She has changed her mind.
I wish to disabuse all Deputies of the notion that they may pursue questions interminably. If Deputies are dissatisfied with the Minister's reply they have an alternative, and they know that.