Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Dunleer (Louth) School.

Mr. Kirk

Thank you for the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. I am concerned about the position in Scoil Uí Mhuirí. The Minister of State will be aware that an application for an extension to the school has been under consideration in his Department for some considerable time. Recently the parents have taken the children from the school and earlier today protested outside the gates.

The position regarding accommodation is that in the 1992-93 school year there were 358 pupils on the roll and in the present school year I understand the number on the roll is 372. Modified plans for the extension have been agreed between the Department and County Louth vocational education committee. There are approximately 16 prefabricated school classrooms on the school campus. In this regard there has been a considerable amount of agitation during the past number of years.

The school has a fine record of academic achievement and the parents are very supportive of the teachers. The significant increase in numbers attending the school indicates their appreciation of the education they are receiving.

I am pleased to note in the Estimates which have just been circulated to Members a significant increase in the provision for both primary and post primary school buildings and upgradings. That augurs well. I hope the Minister of State will be in a position to announce good tidings on this matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Aylward)

I am grateful for this opportunity to respond to the matter raised by the Deputy regarding the withdrawal of pupils at Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer, in support of the application to have a new extension built at the school. I am indeed aware of the situation and very much regret any action which prevents children from attending school. I am also aware of the accommodation problems at Scoil Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer and am glad to say that the architectural planning of this extension which will alleviate these problems, is now complete.

I would like to avail of this opportunity to give some details on the background to this project. Scoil Uí Mhuirí is a co-educational vocational school with an enrolment of approximately 360 pupils. It is the sole provider of post-primary education in the catchment area.

A proposal to provide an additional 845m² of accommodation at the school was approved in 1984 and architectural planning of this extension commenced. However, due to financial constraints, the project had not proceeded to construction when in 1990 it was decided to carry out a detailed review of all projects in planning in view of the declining demographic trends which had become evident. Following this indepth evaluation of the project a modified, phased development of the school was approved by the then Minister. It was agreed that phase 1 of the project, which was to provide 539m², should proceed and architectural planning was immediately initiated. The planning process is now complete and the project is ready to proceed to tender.

In the meantime the Department has been monitoring the immediate accommodation needs at Scoil Uí Mhuirí and in recognition of the difficulties being experienced authorised the County Louth Vocational Education Committee to provide one prefab at the school in 1992 and a further two in 1993.

Again I would like to say that while I fully appreciate the difficulties being experienced at Scoil Uí Mhuirí and the anxieties being expressed by staff, parents and pupils and County Louth Vocational Education Committee, I am not in a position at this time to give a precise date for the commencement of this project. I can assure the Deputy, however, that every effort will be made to include this project in the Department's 1994 building programme.