Seán Power
Question:9 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Education if he will allow a new class extension at Hewetson school, Millicent, Clane, County Kildare to proceed in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hewetson (Kildare) School.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the provision of a new classroom extension to Hewetson School in Clane, County Kildare, in the knowledge that there has been overcrowding in the existing school since 1987, approval for the extension was granted by the then Minister for Education in December 1989, and full planning permission was granted for the extension in January 1992 by Kildare County Council; the reason one of his officials (details supplied) failed to meet an arranged deputation led by the Bishop of Meath and Kildare on 23 April in order to discuss the extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Alan M. Dukes
Question:107 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the current position in relation to the provisions of a new classroom extension for Hewetson School, Millicent, Clane, County Kildare; the reason an official of his Department failed to meet a deputation from the school on 23 April 1992; and the reason the project has not yet proceeded to tender in view of the fact that this project was approved by the then Minister for Education in 1987.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 38 and 107 together. It is proposed to provide a permanent extension at Hewetson national school, County Kildare which will comprise a standard classroom. A staff room, library-medical room will be provided in the existing building which will also be upgraded.
Following completion of the sketch plan in March 1991 it was sent to the school authorities to enable them to apply for local authority planning permission. Some difficulties were experienced by the school authorities in securing final planning permission which was forwarded to my Department in March 1992.
The way is now clear for the preparation of tender documents and these will be completed at the earliest possible date. The question of invitation of tenders for the project will then arise for consideration in the context of the available capital and ongoing commitments.
The officer referred to who had arranged the meeting of 23 April 1992 was unable to attend because of a day long official engagement elsewhere. Rather than defer the Hewetson meeting at short notice, he decided that his immediate subordinate and another staff member who were fully au fait with the case should meet the delegation who expressed no dissatisfaction at his absence.
There has been no unavoidable delay in this case on the part of my Department who indeed have actively supported the school authorities on the project.
I thank the Minister for his reply. On 19 December 1989 the then Minister for Education informed Hewetson school authorities that the building of a classroom extension and the provision of other facilities had been approved. Full planning permission was granted by Kildare County Council in January last.
There is dreadful overcrowding in this small school and the classroom extension is badly needed. I would like the Minister to confirm the date when work may commence? It will not mean very much if I go back and tell the people involved that tender documents will be completed at the earliest possible date.
Deputy Power has repeatedly made strong representations to me about this school. All I can tell him is that the way is now clear for the preparation of tender documents. I will examine the case again to see if I can be more precise about a date.
Is the Minister aware that Hewetson national school is a Church of Ireland school and that the Catholic national schools in Clane are very well catered for? The Church of Ireland school is the poor relation. Will he agree that what he has offered us today in effect is, "live horse and you will get grass"? He simply said that tender documents will be prepared. We know exactly how long it takes to prepare such documents but he should tell us the date on which they will be examined and the date when tenders will be sought. The Minister should do that today.
The Deputy may not embark upon a speech.
Will the Minister arrange for an apology to be sent to the Bishop of Meath and Kildare who was left standing in the Department because the senior official whom the deputation had arranged to meet did not turn up and there was nobody to object to on that day?
I understand the position is as I explained in my reply to the questions. The official in question decided that his immediate subordinate, and another staff member, would meet the deputation as he had to attend a day long meeting elsewhere. That is the explanation that was furnished to me.
I accept the need to make more rapid progress and, in my response to Deputy Power, I undertook to re-examine the case with a view to giving a date I can stand over.
Obviously, there was a misunderstanding which was not the fault of the school patron or the school authorities. Will the Minister concede at this stage that it would be good manners to expedite the process of inviting tenders and awarding the contract as a gesture to the school authorities in view of the long drawn out discussions that have already taken place and the bitter disappointment felt by the people?
I could not make policy decisions on the basis of gestures. I regret that any ill-feeling was caused by the way the deputation were dealt with. I am sure my official would also wish me to extend his regrets for any misunderstandings. I have undertaken to re-examine the case to see whether I can furnish some dates and I hope to do so as soon as possible.