Jimmy Deenihan
Question:32 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed new post primary school at Mounthawk, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/99]
Other Questions. - Schools Amalgamation.
In 1995 approval was given to a proposal to amalgamate two secondary schools in Tralee, Meanscoil Eoin Baiste, Balloonagh and St. Mary's secondary school, Moyderwell into a co-educational secondary school. the new school, to be named Mounthawk Mercy secondary school, will cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils. As a consequence of this decision, it is necessary to provide modern purpose built accommodation in Tralee. Architectural planning of the proposed new project commenced in 1997 with the appointment of a design team.
The stage 3, developed sketch scheme, of the architectural planning process has been fully completed and formally approved by staff in the building unit of my Department since October 1998. Currently, stage 4, detail design is awaited. It is anticipated that this submission shall be lodged with my Department before the end of June 1999.
The capital provision for second level school building has been almost doubled since I took office and this means the project can proceed to completion as quickly as possible. At this stage, it is anticipated that the project shall have fully completed architectural planning and be ready to go for construction in May 200l with a target opening date of September 2001.
This project will qualify for the new arrangements in regard to building grants which I announced last January. These arrangements will mean savings to the conductors of the school and the local community of well in excess of £500,000.
Congratulations for the Deputy.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I declare a personal vested interest in that my wife is teaching in one of those schools. I have no doubt she will be delighted with the Minister's reply. However, I wish to raise the matter of the sports hall provision for the school. The PE staff of both schools are anxious that the sports hall should be made larger to accommodate not only the needs of 1,000 pupils – the biggest school in Kerry – but also the community. If the community was prepared to make a financial input how would the Minister entertain such an idea?
Has it agreed to make a contribution?
Yes. It would look at other sources of funding to help any cost towards enlarging the sports hall.
A Cork man is loath to improve the physical education training facilities for Kerrymen, giving them prowess in the sporting field. That said, I will look sympathetically at the Deputy's request in regard to the PE hall. My officials visited the school authorities. My understanding was that satisfaction was expressed all round. Maybe the Deputy is indicating that satisfaction was not expressed all round in a number of matters, including the PE hall. The cost so far to the Department is likely to be in excess of £5 million. That is one of the largest projects at second level. I am anxious, as is the Deputy who has been committed to physical education for a long time, that physical education be given its day in the sun in the Irish education system. I will have a look at it.
In the event of a reasonable proposal being made to the Minister or his Department would he entertain it provided the cost is met from other sources?
Yes.