Vol. 403 No. 4
13 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction the necessary grant to St. Finbarr's national school, Cabra West, Dublin 7, for external work to the windows and roof, in view of the excellent community organised activities, including a successful pre-school, which are housed in the school building.
I am aware of the situation in relation to St. Finbarr's national school, Cabra West, Dublin, 7, and have under consideration a report from my Department's professional advisers in relation to the condition of the roof and the windows. I am considering the question of whether a capital grant for improvements could be approved under the Rules for National Schools having regard to the small enrolments at the school. However, the situation regarding grant-aid to a building where a large number of classrooms are not required for national school purposes poses difficulties.
I will communicate a decision to the school authorities at the earliest possible date and will advise the Deputy at that point as well.
Will the Minister agree that the very gloomy and neglected exterior of the school is not conducive to attracting children to it and that this is one of the main factors which accounts for the small enrolments in the school, to which the Minister referred? If the Minister's Department continue to neglect the school, inevitably this decrease in numbers will be accelerated. In view of that, will the Minister expedite a decision in regard to the necessary work and grant for same?
It is accepted that the appearance of the school creates a difficulty in regard to school enrolments but other factors must also be taken into account. The dilemma for the Department is that significant capital cannot be made available for a school which is only partially in use. While we accept that significant efforts have been made by the school authorities to bring about improvements, we are carefully examining their request at present. The Minister for Labour, Deputy Bertie Ahern, has taken a very keen interest in the school and is most anxious that the Department will make progress in regard to improvements. However, given the need for careful cost control in expenditure, there are many factors in this respect which will have to be taken into account.
Will the Minister agree that the national school element in the building is housed on the ground floor and that the condition of the windows is worse at ground floor level than at any other? If the Minister's difficulty is that the entire school is not used as a school, will he issue the necessary grant to do the required work on the ground floor windows, at the very least? Does the Minister accept the very admirable contribution made by the local community in developing the remaining classrooms in the school for use as a pre-school and for very necessary youth activities, should be matched by at least a gesture from his Department?
The Deputy has made his point.
I am considering the question of whether a capital grant can be made available and also considering the proposals made by the school authorities. We will communicate the decision on those proposals to the school authorities at an early date.
