Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leatsa an t-ábhair seo a chur os comhair na Dála anocht.
I refer to the rapidly growing development of Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin in Letterkenny. It has become increasingly evident that the growth in schools such as this outside the Gaeltacht is the best thing that has happened to the Irish language since the foundation of the State. The fact that this has not been imposed by the Government is most significant; it originated in communities throughout the country and deserves our wholehearted support. With all due respect to the Minister present, I regret the Minister for Education is not here to reply to this question. I trust this is not an indication of her disinterest in Gael-scoileanna. These schools deserve the wholehearted support, financial and otherwise, of the Department of Education.
This phenomenon is not the product of small groups of Gaelic fanatics who regard the speaking of the Irish language as the ultimate achievement in education. It goes much further. It has been well established that children who become bilingual at an early age have a marked advantage over those who do not have that opportunity. Such an advantage generates a much more lively mind, capable of being much more receptive to learning generally. This includes a greater capacity to absorb other languages. That is a further important factor in view of the very cosmopolitan world in which we live.
Letterkenny is a major growth centre in Donegal and continues to attract workers from other parts of the county, including the Gaeltacht areas on the west coast. It is vital that people from these areas find themselves in a community where their native language is encouraged and their children receive their primary education through that medium. Parents who are currently queueing up to enrol their children in Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin are to be highly commended. I say this because of the rather primitive conditions that must be endured by teachers and pupils alike. If the present position is allowed to continue we will have a generation of children who will be forced to say that they never had the benefit of a proper primary school.
Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin opened five years ago. It now has 144 pupils whose accommodation consists of two double prefabs in the carpark of the local vocational education committee offices and one further classroom in the basement of that office building. The toilet facilities are by no means adequate. Since the carpark is used by the vocational education committee staff the children have no proper playground.
A few weeks ago the Department made an offer of £80,000 for a site which it regarded as highly suitable for a new school. The site had been valued at more than £100,000 but the owners were persuaded by the school committee to accept the lower offer so that there would be no excuse for holding up the development. They promptly accepted the offer and are awaiting a signed contract. The local contribution has been collected and the local urban district council has assured those concerned, including the Department, that the site will have the necessary services such as water, sewerage and so on. The Department's architect, Mr. Shepherd, is familiar with the conditions at the school.
In view of the waiting list, the number of pupils in the school, which has six teachers, is expected to increase rapidly. There is no way next year's class will be provided for under present conditions. I appeal to the Minister to ensure the necessary provision is made in the forthcoming Estimates so that this most important facility becomes a reality with the greatest possible speed.
