Vol. 411 No. 7
16 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the projected date for completion of the amalgamation of St. Kevin's boys, girls and junior schools, Sallynoggin, County Dublin following its agreement which was reached in January, 1990; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
184 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the reason (1) the necessary works at St. Kevin's primary schools, Sallynoggin, County Dublin were not carried out and (2) school children are still required to attend school in unsuitable premises; when the works will be carried out; and when the amalgamation of the three primary schools will take place.
185 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the commencement of works at St. Kevin's primary school, Sallynoggin which are necessary to facilitate the merger of the three schools; when she received tenders for these works; if a tender has been accepted; when the work will commence; and when she expects the school to merge.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 184 and 185 together.
It is proposed to amalgamate Saint Kevin's boys, girls and junior schools when the refurbishment scheme for the permanent buildings has been completed. Tenders have been submitted and are being examined by the Department's architects. The question of the placing of the contract is being considered in the context of the capital available and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities in that regard at the earliest possible date.
I ask the Minister to recall a meeting she had with myself and Councillor Betty Coffey representing Deputy David Andrews on 18 January 1990 when the Minister gave an assurance that the work in question would be completed by September 1990. Is the Minister aware that the request for the amalgamation of the schools dates back to 1985 when the Department of Education requested the amalgamation? Is she aware, too, that she gave approval for an additional teacher under the special scheme to help schools in deprived areas on condition that the amalgamation of the schools took place by September 1990. We are now heading into 1992 and the best the Minister can say is that the amalgamation is still proposed. I ask the Minister to give a categoric assurance here today that she will go back to her Department and make the funds available immediately for various reasons, none more important than that the infants' school is housed in buildings that are old and falling down, that the children have to use an outside toilet in weather such as we are having at the moment and that it would be cheaper for the Department to amalgamate the schools — it would save money and land would be available for sale which would more than recoup the costs involved.
The Deputy has made his point adequately.
Yes, Deputy Barrett, I did indeed have a meeting with you, with Councillor Betty Coffey and with some parents from the schools as well. My Department are committed to this scheme. I refer the Deputy to a question of 23 April 1991 to which the answer given to Deputy Gilmore — Deputy Barrett himself also asked questions at the same time — stated that my Department's architects had completed the working drawings and specifications for the proposed improvement works to Saint Kevin's schools, Sallynoggin, County Dublin. Those documents were forwarded to the school authorities at the end of March or the beginning of April to enable them to make application to the local authorities for by-law approval. I presume that would take the requisite two months and then a third month for final approval, which would take it to June, and the permission would have come through in the final document. While the decision to look for amalgamation and then the subsequent granting of a teacher within the status may go back to 1985, the procedures have gone on ahead and it now remains for us within the context of the upcoming Estimates to decide on our priorities for 1992. I shall certainly bear in mind the very strong representations made to me on the matter by Dáil Deputies, by elected representatives from outside the House and by parents.
May I ask a final supplementary question?
Very briefly, Deputy.
I accept the Minister's point that planning permission was needed, but is she aware that tenders were received and in fact opened on 2 July 1991?
That is right.
Therefore, I do not think that can be given as an excuse, I ask the Minister to make a commitment in the House today that she and her Department will examine the possibility of making funds available this year?
I shall certainly examine the matter. I am not a Wizard of Oz who can say "Yes", but I will give a commitment to have the project examined very closely in that I know that the schools do need to be rectified. I am conscious of the fact that they have amalgamated and that as a result there will be benefits to the State and to the children concerned.
A brief question now from Deputy Gilmore.
I shall be brief. I ask the Minister whether she will confirm that previously in the House she gave an assurance that the work would be done in 1991 and not in 1992, and can she now give an assurance that the work will in fact be started in 1991? Can the Minister state also——
The Deputy is quite clearly being repetitious.
But the Minister has not answered my supplementary question.
Deputy, bring your question to finality, please. I am moving on to another question.
The second part of my question is: can the Minister state who would be responsible in the event of any child having an accident or being in any way discommoded in the appalling conditions obtaining in infant classes?
As the Deputy will be aware, the board of management of each school are responsible for the insurance cover of each school. As I told Depty Seán Barrett — and I presume — Deputy Gilmore would wish me to do likewise — I will undertake to examine this case urgently bearing in mind that it is one requiring such attention.
