Deputy John Farrelly gave me notice of his intention to raise the matter of the plans the Minister for Education has for the development of accommodation at St. Mary's Diocesan School, Drogheda, and if he will allocate sufficient funds in 1992 for the commencement of this project.
Adjournment Debate. - Drogheda School Project.
First, I congratulate the new Minister of State at the Department of Education and wish him well in that position.
St. Mary's Diocesan School, Drogheda, was built in 1967 for the accommodation of 250 pupils. The total number of pupils in that school today is 590. This is one of the worst cases of overcrowding I have witnessed in all my time in public life. In 1990 the school authorities applied for planning permission to build two extra prefabs. Planning permission was given on condition that by January 1993 they would be removed. The only conclusion I can come to for the inclusion of that condition is that there is a possible fire hazard in this case. The school consisted of a total of eight prefabs, but unfortunately a few months ago two of these prefabs were burned to the ground. As a result some classes have to be held in the home of the school principal, which is very unsuitable.
I visited the school last Friday and on my tour with the principal, Fr. Rice, we met a teacher with 30 pupils looking for a classroom in which to teach the class. I never witnessed anthing like this before. It was not a set-up but is a daily fact of life at this school. I would ask the Minister to accept the contribution from the school management board and to provide funds from the Department to ensure that the school is completed by September 1993. This problem has reached crisis proportions. I have never witnessed such conditions in any school. The majority of the prefabs are 40 years old. I know that this problem is not the fault of the present Minister or indeed the last Minister. It has been ongoing for years. The prefabs will collapse if there is a heavy fall of snow. I would ask the Minister to provide funds for this project in addition to the contribution from the school authorities so that it can go ahead within the next few months.
At the outset I would like to thank Deputy Farrelly for his very kind comments. I am grateful for this opportunity to respond to the matters raised by Deputy Farrelly regarding St. Mary's Diocesan School. I am indeed aware of the unsatisfactory position at St. Mary's where the school is housed entirely in prefabricated accommodation. This is not the most desirable form of long term school accommodation and I am glad to say that plans to alleviate the problem are well advanced.
In 1985 the Department approved a proposal to provide permanent accommodation for 600 students. This accommodation was to be provided in two phases. Phase one was to provide for 350 pupils with phase two to follow at a later stage. As with all such major projects in planning, it was necessary in 1989 to carry out a detailed review of the proposals in view of the declining demographic trend which had become evident throughout the country. A review of the figures by my Department suggested that the capacity of the school be reduced to 500 in the long term. However it was decided that in the context of the long term projections and the poor condition of the overall accommodation at St. Mary's the proposed phase one extension should proceed as planned. It is estimated that the first phase will cost £1.4 million, including building, furniture, equipment and fees. The accommodation which will be provided in phase one will include five general classrooms, two lecture rooms and eight specialist rooms as well as a general purpose area, kitchenette, staff accommodation and other facilities. In all the total area of the school will be 1,800 square metres.
I was distressed to hear about the recent fire at the school which destroyed two prefabs. My Department have given approval to the school authorities for their immediate replacement. In addition, approval has been given for an extra prefab to cater for the increasing number of pupils in September 1992. Although architectural planning for the new school has been completed, I am not in a position to give a precise date for the commencement of the project. Nevertheless, I fully appreciate the difficulties currently affecing St. Mary's Diocesan School. Every effort will be made, having regard to the availability of capital resources, to allow the project to proceed this year. I will keep the Deputy informed of the progress in the matter.