Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Schools Building Projects.

Mr. Sheehan:

I wish to raise the serious overcrowding at Clonakilty Community College. When will the Minister approve finance for the extension of the college to alleviate the serious overcrowding and allow the project to go to tender?

Clonakilty Community College was completed and opened in 1980 to accommodate 430 students. There are now 570 students and the numbers are growing with the inclusion of Gaelscoil students this year and next year. That will swell the number of students by 200, making a projected school roll of 800 students by 2004. The presence of refugee students and the growing demand for teaching other languages add to the demands on the college for immediate expansion.

When the school was built 25 years ago, it was planned that it would accommodate a maximum of 430 students. A staff room was designed to cater for 25 teachers. There are now 40 teachers on staff and the room is no longer suitable. The toilet facilities are totally inadequate and there is no office space for the teachers.

The school caters for almost 600 students using two buildings, one on either side of Clonakilty. That is not satisfactory and adds immensely to the workload of the teachers concerned as they have to travel half a mile between either centre.

All these problems have serious implications for the health and safety of the students and teachers. The school authorities want to know when the Minister will sanction plans for the extension of the college. When will he appoint a design team? The schedule of overall accommodation plans was agreed with the Department long ago. The school is entitled to an extra 1,600 square metres of accommodation.

I want action, not pious words, from the Minister on this important issue. I urge the Minister to take this matter into consideration, particularly in the home town of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Deputy Walsh. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, will provide a glimmer of hope for Clonakilty community college which is completely overcrowded. An urgent remedy is required for this serious situation.

Mr. Treacy:

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House the Department's proposals in relation to the provision of an extension at Clonakilty Community College, Cork. I readily acknowledge that this is the home town of our unique and outstanding Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Deputy Walsh.

Mr. Sheehan:

All the more reason that he should attend to my request.

Mr. Treacy:

I also acknowledge the fact that Deputy Sheehan regards him as one of the best Ministers that has ever served in that portfolio. Since coming into office in 1997, the Government has consistently and substantially provided for educational infrastructure. In 1997, a total sum of €91.7 million was available for first and second level infrastructure. The corresponding figure for the current year is in excess of €335 million, or almost four times as much as was allocated in 1997. Due to the greatly increased level of investment in first and second level school buildings since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.

I wish to give some background information in connection with this particular school. County Cork Vocational Education Committee made an application for additional permanent accommodation, along with the refurbishment of existing accommodation, in 2000. The Department's planning section advised me that any future extension should cater for a long-term enrolment of 550 pupils in a growing area.

Mr. Sheehan:

That figure has now risen to 800.

Mr. Treacy:

A schedule of overall accommodation to cater for a long-term enrolment of 550 pupils was drawn up in late 2000. In early 2001, officials from the Department visited the school and completed a revised schedule of overall accommodation, a schedule of suggested future use of existing accommodation and a schedule of residual accommodation. These schedules were forwarded to the VEC in April last and were accepted by it last September.

The Department's post-primary building unit has agreed, in principle, to the extension and refurbishment of Clonakilty Community College. However, a decision to appoint a design team for this project has yet to be made and it will be made as soon as possible. All the options for the delivery of modern classroom accommodation, as outlined, will be considered following the appointment of a design team to commence architectural planning for this major building project.

As an interim measure, County Cork VEC has applied for funding towards the provision of three temporary classrooms at the college. Officials of the Department of Education and Science are currently examining this recent application.

Mr. Sheehan:

I want action, Minister.

Mr. Treacy:

I will do my utmost for the Deputy. We will have a word with the Minister, Deputy Walsh, and I am sure that, together, the three of us can make progress.