Once again I raise on the Adjournment the matter of the requisite permanent buildings at Confey Community College, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Since I raised this matter in the House previously the contention has continued, with parents justifiably agitating for the production by the Minister of a realistic timetable for the provision of permanent classrooms.
As I have said before, and has been mentioned by other speakers in the House, of the 400-plus students attending the college at present, only about 25 per cent are housed in permanent classrooms, with obvious consequences for the standard of education both parents and teachers require, causing grave problems for the teachers there who must work under those conditions in addition to the fact that those students receive their secondary education in far from ideal accommodation. As a result of parents' agitation the Minister responded to his colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy McCreevy, on 29 April last. I will not quote the entire letter but it is indicated therein that invitation to tender is scheduled for August 1992, tenders to be received — I presume that is the latest date for receipt — by December 1992. Then the important paragraph reads as follows:
Construction on this project should then begin in January 1993. You will appreciate that unforeseen circumstances could disrupt this schedule. However, I am confident that this timetable is realistic and can be adhered to.
That is a rather contradictory statement, one which has led to confusion on the part of parents who were present at a well-attended public meeting in Confey Community College last evening, indeed on the part of public representatives and, I am sure also, the Minister of State sitting opposite. I have been asked by the parents and other public representatives to request the Minister to confirm his intentions in relation to Confey College. I can see no reason whatever for postponing the work until January 1993 or deferring the proposals which have been agreed to until a later date.
The Minister should outline his intentions in relation to this college. The letter from which I have just quoted would seem to indicate that the Minister may not proceed with the work in certain circumstances. Such a decision would not be welcomed by the people in the area and would be regarded by the parents, students and teachers as the straw which broke the camel's back. Notwithstanding the funds which have already been allocated, I do not for one moment believe that the kitty is so empty that the Minister cannot respond positively to the needs of Confey College which is located in an area which has registered the fastest growth in population in the entire country.
