I wish to thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, most sincerely for allowing me to raise this matter this evening. The history of the proposed community school in Cashel is a long, unsatisfactory and troubled one, riddled with broken promises, delays, postponements, disappointments and, above all, inaction. To be fair to the Minister not all of these have occurred during her period of office, nevertheless most of them have.
In 1979, a large extension to the girls' secondary school in Cashel was approved by the Department of Education. By the end of 1983 plans for the new buildings were almost completed. A site was provided free of charge by the Presentation Sisters and the required local contribution was raised by the parents. However, on 31 January 1984 a Department circular called for a review of post primary education facilities in Cashel. As a result of this review the Presentation Sisters and the CBS agreed to participate in the proposed community school on the understanding "that the community school would proceed without delay".
Commitment after commitment was given and in December 1984 the Department assured us "that there is no question of any delay in the availability of funds for the school building". In January 1985 the Department said "planning of the school will proceed immediately". In November 1985, the building unit wrote to the managers of the schools in Cashel and stated that the scheme would go to tender in July 1986 and building would commence in either September or October 1986. Cashel waited and waited patiently. At this point I must compliment the community for their patience and the restraint they have shown.
The first warning was given in November 1987 when a letter from the Department stated that a decision to commence the proposed community school in Cashel would depend on the availability of resources and on the Department's other commitments and priorities.