Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 8

Adjournment Debate. - School Building Projects.

Mr. Callely

I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. My question is relatively simple. I will dispense with my prepared notes and, if the Minister has a prepared script, I ask him to do likewise. He is aware I wish to raise the matter of Ard Scoil Rís in Marino.

Since 1993 the school has sought approval for an extension comprising six classrooms, a library, a general purpose area and a storeroom for construction study purposes to meet the growing needs of the school. Sanction for the extension was granted in 1993, stage four of the planning process has been reached and all the relevant documentation has been submitted.

There are 525 pupils and in excess of 34 staff in the school. The principal and vice-principal are faced with a difficult task every year of refusing children entry to the school because they do not have the capacity to offer enrolment to children in their catchment area. There is a severe accommodation crisis in the school which is restricting the teaching of the curriculum. The fact that the PE hall is being used as a classroom will give the Minister of State an insight to conditions in the school which are far from ideal for educational purposes. Children are being denied an opportunity to be educated in Ard Scoil Rís.

The solution to the problem is simple. Proper planning is required, the project must be given the green light and those charged with responsibility for putting the pieces together must ensure the building project goes ahead to meet the needs of the school in 1997. Will the Minister give a simple yes or no answer to the question of whether funds are available? Will he sanction the necessary funds to ensure the building works proceed in 1997?

I ask the Minister of State to be generous in his response. I heard him debate in support of similar projects when he was on this side of the House. He will agree I am not being unrealistic in asking that the school be given an indication of whether it will be able to proceed with the project in 1997.

Mr. Deenihan

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. On behalf of the Minister I take this opportunity to outline the current position regarding the extension project at Ard Scoil Rís, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.

Initially I would like to give some brief details of the background to this case.

Mr. Callely

There is no need for the Minister of State to repeat what I said.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Let us hear the reply.

Mr. Callely

I have the reply. I asked the Minister of State to dispense with the standard script.

Mr. Deenihan

The Deputy knows the procedure and he is trying to be smart.

Mr. Callely

I am not. I am asking the Minister to answer my question.

Mr. Deenihan

I have come into the House to answer the question.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I will not preside over this level of disorder. This business is covered under our Standing Orders. I ask that the Minister be allowed to proceed with his reply in an orderly fashion.

Mr. Deenihan

In October 1994 the provision of additional accommodation was approved, in principle, by the Department of Education. This accommodation will be provided in a permanent extension to the school and will cater for a projected long-term enrolment of 525 pupils. The extension measures 616 square metres and comprises six general classrooms, a library and a general purpose-dining area. In addition to that extension, a proposal was submitted to the

Department for the refurbishment of the three existing science laboratories at the school.

The current position of the extension is that staff in the Department's building unit are examining the stage four submission — the detail design of the Department's design team procedures prepared by the school's design team. The question of proceeding to construction will depend on the availability of capital funding when the planning process is complete.

I assure the Deputy that the Minister for Education is aware of the problems regarding accommodation at the school. Every effort will be made to ensure architectural planning for the extension to the school is progressed as quickly as possible. The building works at the school will be considered for inclusion in the 1997 capital programme.

The Dáil adjourned at 5 p.m. until 12 noon on Tuesday, 17 December 1996.