Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Edenmore (Monaghan) National School Extension.

Mr. Cotter

I visited Edenmore national school on Monday last and I thank you for allowing me to report to the House on the conditions pertaining there. The first classroom I visited was that of Miss Gilsenan. She has 34 pupils this year; next year she will have 38. It measures 4.9 metres by 6.4 metres which is about 30 square metres. The recommended size of classroom for that number of pupils is 55.5 square metres. There is a crack in the wall through which fumes from the boiler outside percolate, giving rise to an unhealthy atmosphere. This room is also beside the boys' toilets and in warm weather smells emanate from that quarter.

Mrs. Murray teaches in the classroom next door where this year there are 37 infants. It is too small for the purpose. Mrs. Murray will have 41 pupils in June.

The principal's room, that of Mr. McGreevy, is next door and he has 35 pupils. The room is too small and the blackboard is in the wrong position. It cannot be seen by the students when there is a glare from the sun. Of the 35 students, 20 are in fifth class and 15 are in sixth class. I believe that mix of numbers is not satisfactory and creates difficulty for the teacher in charge and for the students who are trying to learn.

The next classroom I visited, that in which Miss McCrudden teaches, is a 30 year old prefab. Recently a steel support was put in place to keep the roof in position. The windows are rotten and the room is much too small for 35 pupils. I think we would all agree that prefabs are not suitable accommodation for classrooms. They are supposed to be short term temporary accommodation, yet 30 years later they are still in place.

A remedial teacher was appointed last year on a sharing basis with other schools in the area. Because of the difficulties at Edenmore national school the remedial teacher has to take her class in a small cloakroom.

Teaching conditions are not good in Edenmore national school. I compliment the staff who are doing an excellent job in very difficult conditions. The number of students attending the school is 140, yet there is only one exit for that cohort, which, of course, is in breach of fire safety regulations.

The school is surrounded on two sides by a river. The play area in the yard is small; some of it is hard topped and some grassed. On Monday last the grass part was very mucky and the students were covered in filth and dirt after they had been out for their break. The yard needs to be hard topped. I also checked the toilet area and found it to be inadequate; 74 boys are expected to find space in two bays.

A new teacher has been sanctioned for that school and will take up duty in June. The question being asked in Edenmore is where will she teach. No classroom is available at this stage. I request the Minister this evening to undertake immediately a building programme at this school. Three new classrooms are needed, one to replace the existing prefab, a new classroom for the new teacher who is being appointed and an additional classroom which could be used while renovations are being carried out in the school to bring the present classrooms up to standard size.

Against all the odds I found Edenmore national school to be a happy place. We should not require pupils and teachers to work in conditions which are not conducive to learning and teaching. That is a graphic description of what I found at Edenmore national school on Monday last. I urge the Minister to put matters right without delay.

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. Kenneally)

I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity of outlining the Department of Education's position in relation to Edenmore national school, County Monaghan. The Deputy has dealt with most of the factual elements in relation to the case, but I think it would be useful for me to outline the position from the Department's point of view. The school has at present four teachers and I understand that the enrolments will entitle it to an additional teacher from next September. The Deputy has dealt with this specific aspect in the text of his motion. There is also a part time remedial teacher.

The accommodation at the school consists of three permanent classrooms and a prefabricated classroom. It is accepted fully that conditions at the school are not satisfactory and officials from the Department have met with the school authorities on a number of occasions to discuss the best way forward. The school authorities were first of the view that a new school building would be the appropriate solution, but on reconsideration they indicated to the Department that a permanent extension would best suit their needs.

The following brief had been provisionally settled: an extension of two classrooms, a library-medical room, a staffroom and various stores and the conversion of the existing three classrooms into two standard classrooms. The Department's architect has indicated that a small site extension would be required and the Department will be in touch with the school authorities outlining what is needed in this regard. The school authorities have requested the provision of a general purposes room but it would not be possible to grant aid this facility in present circumstances.

Subject to a site extension being available the Department will undertake the architectural planning at the earliest possible date. It is accepted that there have been delays in the matter, but the Deputy will appreciate that there is a large number of projects on hand and it is difficult for the Department to satisfy all the demands from the various school authorities, particularly having due regard to the question of scarce resources.

Every school makes the case that its project merits priority treatment. It is just not possible to achieve this. I think the Deputy will understand this fully. However, it is hoped to have the Edenmore case expedited in so far as is possible.

As regards the question of accommodation for the fifth full-time teacher the most expedient solution is the provision of a prefabricated classroom, especially as the accommodation would be needed by September 1992. Indeed, this is standard practice now in the case of new appointments, particularly as it is uncertain how long the teacher will be required for. It is possible that the school authorities may have different views in this respect and I have arranged for the Department to contact them to discuss the matter fully, at a meeting if desired.

Finally, I understand completely the concerns of all those connected with the school, including teachers, parents etc., and the Department will spare no effort in resolving the difficulties with the minimum of delay. In view of the Deputy's interest he will be kept fully informed of developments.