asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to bring into operation the new school building at St. Joseph's School for deaf boys in Cabra, Dublin 7 at a cost of £4.2 million.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School for Hearing-Impaired Boys.
49.
The new building provided at St. Joseph's School for hearing impaired boys at Cabra, Dublin 7, includes classroom and ancillary accommodation for which grants were provided by my Department and residential accommodation provided with assistance from the Department of Health. The new educational facilities which cost £1.7 million have been in use since the beginning of this year. I understand that new residential accommodation has not yet been brought into use but this is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health. However, I believe that the school authorities are hopeful that this problem will be resolved in the near future.
I am sure the Minister of State will agree with me about the excellent work carried out by St. Joseph's school for deaf boys since its foundation over 100 years ago and that it provides this service on a national basis. Pupils come from all over Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The school is giving a 32-county service. However, since the new building has been opened they are operating under restrictions and handicaps in a number of areas, first of all, staffing. I understand there have been a number of meetings between Department officials and school management, that proposals have been made that are completely unacceptable to the school management and that these proposals are putting strain and stress on the staff there, particularly on those involved in practical subjects. They do not know how long they will be there or whether their jobs are secure. This does not lead to a satisfactory way of conducting things. Can the Minister of State tell me if he or his officials intend to meet the board again to explore and discuss suitable arrangements regarding staffing because they cannot proceed——
A question, Deputy.
I am aware there have been difficulties recently in providing for the teaching of practical subjects in the school. Difficulties arose because the school has more teachers than the number of pupils would normally warrant but there are not as many with specialist teaching qualifications as would be desirable. This came about as a result of declining enrolments. It has not been possible to sanction replacements for teachers who left the school recently. Unfortunately, the teachers who left were those qualified to teach practical subjects. Naturally, I am very concerned about this and I am having the matter examined with a view to finding a means of catering for the practical subjects within the approved pupil/staff ratios.
Another area of considerable concern is the equipment. I understand the group hearing aids costing about £30,000 have not yet been supplied to the school and that is putting severe pressure on teachers there——
Ceistle do thoil.
——to use the most modern techniques. Will the Minister of State give us an indication as to when he will be able to sanction the provision of these important facilities? I understand the application has been in the Department for more than a year.
I cannot give an undertaking at this stage as to when decisions will be taken as the discussions are ongoing. I know the situation is urgent and our intention is that decisions will be taken quickly.