For the past 12 years Ardfinnan national school has sought to get an extension to alleviate overcrowding in the school. Three years ago a commitment was given by the Department of Education that it would provide four classrooms and repair the existing building in order to satisfy the needs of the area and cater for the number of children in the school.
On 7 October last I put down a parliamentary question asking when the works on the proposed extension to the school would commence. The Minister replied:
This project has been included in the 1993 capital programme. The examination of tenders is being finalised and it is hoped to appoint a building contractor shortly.
Anyone listening to that reply could logically ask what am I demanding as the reply was satisfactory and all seems to be well. Two days after receiving that reply it was revealed to the chairman of the board of management, Father Callinan, that the project was being reviewed. A doubt existed within the Department of Education about the provision of four classrooms and the numbers were being reviewed. On being informed of these changes, I rang the Minister's Department and was told that the project was being proceeded with, the Department had examined tenders for four classrooms and a contractor would be appointed. It was not until I told the official that I had been informed by the board of management about the review that I was informed by the Department about the change of plans.
I am very disappointed at this approach by the Department of Education. However, my disappointment cannot match the total despair, frustration and anger felt by the parents, teachers and board of management of Ardfinnan national school. I am sure the Minister is aware that it was the board of management and I who prevented an all out strike in that school. A representative of the Department of Education who visited the school argued about the numbers, offered to provide three classrooms, would not accept the projected enrolment in the school as put forward by the principal and put the chairman of the board of management to the bother of producing the Baptism book so as to check the numbers. After that wastage of time, there was only a difference of one pupil. The representative of the Department bluntly offered the board of management two classrooms in addition to repairs to the existing extension. Under duress the chairman and the board of management accepted that proposal from the Department. This highlights the seriousness of the situation in Ardfinnan school, which is extremely overcrowded.
I visited the school last Friday and I witnessed damp walls, wet floors and toilets, parents and other representatives having to be met by the principal in the corridor, overcrowded classrooms and no cloakrooms. In addition, there is a feeling of despair about when the project will go ahead.
Unfortunately there has been a complete breach of trust and confidence by the Department on this issue. The board of management and those of us who represent Ardfinnan school have been patient and co-operative but we have no more trust in the Department. I am delighted the Minister is present in the House to reply to this matter. I hope her presence is an indication that she will have satisfactory news for me. The people involved with Ardfinnan school will not be satisfied unless the Minister can tell me tonight when work on the extension will start. I should point out that when tensions became high in Ardfinnan a fax was received from the Department. Unusually, the heading on top read "Labour Party" perhaps this party has its own fax within the Minister's office. The fax stated that the project would proceed.
We will not be satisfied until we know when the work will commence. The promises given during the past 12 years have been broken and the people of Ardfinnan are now in despair. The school will not be able to continue unless a favourable commitment is given by the Minister this evening.
