Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - Moate (Westmeath) Community School.

Paul McGrath

Question:

202 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education whether the new community school at Moate, County Westmeath will be operational on a split site in view of her recent decision concerning its location; the implications of this particularly in view of the requirement from the board of management that there not be a split site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3672/96]

Paul McGrath

Question:

203 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the offers, if any, made to her Department regarding accommodation and facilities for the new community school at Moate, County Westmeath by the Carmelite Fathers, the Mercy Sisters and Westmeath vocational education committee; and the final cost and benefits of the chosen sites. [3673/96]

Paul McGrath

Question:

204 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the projected enrolment for September 1996 for the community school in Moate, County Westmeath; and the extra facilities, if any, that will be required to accommodate this enrolment. [3674/96]

Paul McGrath

Question:

205 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the groups that were consulted by her Department concerning the location of the new community school in Moate, County Westmeath; and the consideration, if any, given to road safety in the discussions. [3675/96]

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

235 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the meetings or conversations, if any, which she had regarding the location of the community school in Moate, County Westmeath; and if she will arrange to meet a deputation to explain her recent decision on the location of this school. [3920/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 203, 204, 205 and 233 together.

It is my intention that Moate community school will commence operations next September on the Mercy and vocational school sites, which adjoin. The question of the provision of additional accommodation to enable this to take place is under examination in my Department at present.

As there was no agreement locally regarding the location of the community school, officials from my Department had discussions with the trustees regarding its location and the cost of acquiring the existing properties. In all cases my Department received excellent co-operation and very acceptable offers in terms of cost. As the secondary schools in question are privately owned, it would be inappropriate for me to divulge the details of these offers.

An assessment of the school's likely enrolment for next September is being carried out. This will help to determine the additional facilities which will be required.

In the absence of agreement locally with regard to a single site, the board of management of the community school requested my Department to identify the most appropriate location. I had the various options examined bearing in mind the educational, logistical and cost implications in each case. Based on this examination, I decided that, both in the short and long term, the community school should be provided on the Mercy and vocational education committee sites, using as much as possible of the existing secondary and vocational schools' accommodation.

An extensive consultative process with all the local interests would have made the selection process considerably more complex and protracted. I will arrange for officials from the planning section of my Department to meet a deputation in the matter, if such a meeting is required.

Now that this important issue has been decided, I hope that all the parties to the amalgamation will continue their efforts to ensure that Moate community school commences on schedule next September.