I propose to share time with Deputy Michael Ahern.
Adjournment Debate. - Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Eigeartaigh.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. I also thank the Minister of State for coming before the House to deal with it and I hope he will give me a constructive reply. I am disappointed that the Minister for Education and Science could not be present but I am sure he is extremely busy.
I note that on a previous Adjournment debate, the Minister for Education and Science stated that he valued the contribution made by the gaelscoileanna. He also indicated it was Government and Department policy to support the establishment of gaelscoileanna in areas where a demand for such schools exists and where there is no alternative school within a reasonable distance. The viability of any proposed school is also important.
Everyone is aware of the conditions which obtain in many of the buildings that house a number of gaelscoileanna throughout the country. I know the Minister is aware of the specific problems faced by the pupils and teachers of Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Eígeartaigh in Cobh. The Minister has acknowledged that the accommodation is unsuitable for "long-term use or development" and that "alternative permanent accommodation is required". I visited the school and I can attest to the fact that it is damp, overcrowded and the toilet facilities are completely unsatisfactory. A further problem exists because the building in which the school is housed is required by the Cork Harbour 2000 project for an exciting expansion of the Queenstown story.
The Minister put forward two solutions to this problem in reply to a question I tabled on 4 November last. The first was to secure existing school accommodation which has become surplus to requirements due to falling enrolments. Will the Minister of State inform me about the results of the examination carried out by the Department in this regard? My investigations show that no such falloff is foreseen. On the contrary, due to unprecedented building work in Cobh it is most likely that pupil numbers in the town will rise. The only alternative is to sanction the building of a new school on the most suitable site but there is concern that this will be available only for a short time.
It should be clear that demand exists. Even in the present cramped and unsuitable accommodation the school is a success, with 142 pupils enrolled last year. The school would really take off if it were in a proper building. I am sure the Minister will agree that if Gaelscoileanna had existed in the past we would probably be a bilingual country now, such has been their success.
The Minister for Education and Science met the parents support committee recently. Parents are worried because they have campaigned since 1992 and the Minister gave a commitment to reply before Christmas. I appeal to him to make this a happy Christmas for the Cobh children. He should delay no longer and sanction the funding to build a new school, which is the greatest present possible. He should enter the spirit of the season by being Santa Claus, not Scrooge. Some 2,000 years ago a young family was told there was no room at the inn; the Minister should give these young children a new school with adequate room.
I thank Deputy Stanton for sharing his time and support his request that the Minister decide in favour of new facilities for the pupils of Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Éigeartaigh. The present accommodation is completely unsuited to the educational needs of children. The school has operated for 12 years and occupied a number of locations before its present site — effectively it has gone from the frying pan into the fire. The Minister has had the matter examined over the past few weeks. At a meeting with the parents some time ago he said it would be over six weeks before he would have a decision and that time is almost up. I do not know whether the Minister of State has an answer tonight but I hope there will be one by next week for the pupils and parents of the school.
Tá brón ar an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, an Teachta Ó Máirtín, nach bhfuil sé in ann a bheith anseo. Tá sé ag cruinniú oideachais idirnáisiúnta an-tábhachtach thar lear. Tréaslaím leis an mbeirt Teachta Dála as spéis atá acu sa teanga agus, go háirithe, an spéis phearsanta pholaitiúil atá acu i Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Éigeartaigh. Tá spéis mhór agam sa teanga agus aontaím leis an chaoi ina chuir siad an scéal faoin nGaelscoil faoi bhráid na Dála.
I accept fully that the school's current accommodation is inadequate and that a replacement permanent building is needed as a matter of priority. Towards that end a number of possible strategies are being examined urgently by our Department. It is general policy to ensure that the implications of all developments on education provision in an area are fully assessed when supporting projects. A particular issue arises in terms of ensuring that existing accommodation is utilised to the best effect and that the best use is made of public investments. An example of this procedure leading to an agreed rationalisation process was seen recently in Youghal, County Cork.
In this case, it is clear that the Gaelscoil cannot be looked at in isolation. The most effective use of other surplus accommodation in the town must be established. along with the effect on existing schools. As part of this process, officials from our Department visited all the schools concerned recently to acquire an appreciation of the position at first hand. They are fully aware of the importance of speedily addressing this matter.
I assure all associated with Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Éigeartaigh that we share their concern to resolve the school's accommodation problem by providing satisfactory permanent accommodation at the earliest possible date. Dá bhrí sin, níl Gaillimheach mar mise in ann freagra cruinn beacht a thabhairt in ionad Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ó Chorcaigh. Beidh an freagra sin ar fáil ón Aire chomh luath agus is féidir. Guím Nollaig agus Ath-Bhliain Nua faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise ar mhuintir Chorcaí agus ar Ghaelscoil Sheáin Uí Éageartaigh.
The Dáil adjourned at 11.05 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 December 1997.