Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1993

Vol. 431 No. 7

Written Answers - Meath Schools.

Mary Wallace

Question:

97 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education if the purchase of the site and the planning process for Dunboyne School in County Meath can proceed immediately; her views on whether the question of the proposed management structure should not delay the process as the management structure can be determined in 1994 following the publication of the White Paper on Education; her views on whether decisions can also be made in 1994 with regard to the local contribution as determined by the management structure decided upon; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that both Dunboyne and Hartstown schools were sanctioned on the same day in February 1992, and, as the proposed White Paper on Education did not delay the Hartstown school, it should not therefore delay the Dunboyne school.

Mary Wallace

Question:

98 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the September 1994, crisis in the parish of Dunboyne, County Meath, regarding post-primary school places where pupils have been refused places in 15 different schools throughout counties Meath, Kildare and Dublin; if she will take into consideration the clear message from the public meeting on 25 May 1993, that the parents will accept a low cost masonry-type structure built on a phased basis similar to the Hartstown project and that they are not unduly concerned about the management structure decided upon as long as the school is in place for September 1993; and if she will confirm that the cost of this proposal would be approximately £200,000 in the 1994 budget, that is, the same cost of the Hartstown project for the 1992 budget.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose taking Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Dáil Questions Nos. 359 and 473, on 23 February and 23 March 1993, respectively.

The management structure for the proposed Dunboyne postprimary school will be considered in the context of the White Paper on Education to be published by the end of the year. The question of a local contribution will not arise until decisions are taken regarding the management structure.

The suitability of a site for the school is currently being examined. When this examination is completed my Department will enter into negotiations for its purchase and the detailed planning of the development will be initiated. When planning is completed this project will be considered for inclusion in the building programme in the light of objective criteria related to relevant educational, building and financial factors.

I am aware that some Dunboyne parents are experiencing difficulty in securing places for their children in the post primary school of their choice next September. Representations in this regard have not been made to my Department in respect of 1994. My Department will continue to monitor the situation until such time as the new school is provided in Dunboyne. It would not be feasible to have the school in place in September 1993 as mentioned by the Deputy.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

99 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if, in regard to Dunshaughlin Community College, County Meath, and the other schools listed in her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 25 May 1993, she will give the total amount of asbestos removed; by whom it was removed; the way in which it was disposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The total amount of asbestos removed from the six schools involved was 1790m2 of asbestos based wall board and 1334m2 of asbestos based ceiling board.

It was removed by Willich Insulations Ltd., leading specialists in asbestos removal in Ireland.

The asbestos based boards were double wrapped in heavy gauge polythene sheeting, and then stored in a 20 foot container on site during the contract period, and then transported to France for disposal in accordance with the E.C. (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations 1988 and the "Trans Frontier Shipment of Toxic Waste" regulations.