Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 9

Written Answers. - Clondalkin (Dublin) Community College Accommodation.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

205 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if, in respect of St. Kevin's community college, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, she will give the estimated number of pupils expected to enrol there in September, 1991 and for each of the succeeding five years; if, having regard to her earlier replies to parliamentary questions on the school, she will outline the position in relation to the promised permanent building for the school at Fonthill Road, Clondalkin; whether the building of a 400 place school with a permanent structure as proposed will go ahead and that any numbers over and above that number will be dealt with by either temporary or semi-permanent classrooms; the reason architect's drawings, recently shown to parents of pupils of the school and staff do not seem to included any permanent classrooms other than practical rooms; if, having regard to the fact that (1) fifth year and second year classes are only going to school for half days and (2) that when the temporary accommodation at Fonthill Road is occupied the pupils will be alternating between the Clondalkin and Lucan sites, whether they are doing academic or practical subjects, she accepts that the provision of a permanent school structure on one site is an urgent necessity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Last year with my approval the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee had been authorised to provide permanent accommodation for a projected long term enrolment of 400 pupils on the site at Fonthill Road. Additional temporary accommodation will be made available as required to cater for the anticipated short term peaking of enrolments in the school.

It was intended initially that, pending the provision of a permanent building, the St. Kevin's community college pupils would be catered for in temporary accommodation on the Fonthill Road site. The vocational education committee having considered how best to meet the needs of the pupils, decided to provide a block of ten general classrooms on the new site and to continue to use the former vocational school in Lucan for practical subjects, as a temporary measure, pending the construction of new facilities.

The general classroom block provided will form part of the longer term provision for the school. Accordingly, it will be integrated fully into the overall development to provide the 400 permanent pupil places. As this first phase, therefore, meets the long term need for general classrooms the second phase of the development, for which architectural planning is proceeding, will provide the balance of the accommodation required for 400 pupils including the practical and other specialist facilities. Appropriate provision will be made in due course in temporary accommodation for any additional short term requirements of the anticipated extra pupils above the 400 being catered for in the above mentioned development.

I am fully aware of the circumstances under which this school is operating and every effort will be made to have the second phase of the development provided as soon as possible.