I welcome the opportunity of raising on the Adjournment the grave situation facing the pupils and staff of St. Michael's community college, Kilmihil, County Clare. The school, which is 40 years old, was on the verge of closing in 1967, with only 13 pupils, but in the early 1970s, with the dynamism of its former principal, Larry Blake, the student level grew to 105. In 1976 it received approval for the leaving certificate and in 1986 an extension was built to cater for the increase in student numbers. It is ironic that the then Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science was my party leader, Deputy Kenny, who performed the official opening at the school in 1986. Since that period, no improvement works have been carried out in the college other than necessary maintenance such as dealing with leaking roofs and emergency electrical works, which were safety concerns for the staff.
Today, the college has 331 pupils in a school designed for 180. There are eight prefabricated buildings, one home economics room with very old gas cookers, one science room with equipment that one would see in an antique science museum, and one carpentry room with old, outdated equipment that dates back to the early 1970s with worn benches that have seen better times. I saw these conditions last month when I visited the school and would not be surprised if the Health and Safety Authority closed down the facilities in these specialist rooms.
There are 24 dedicated teachers on the staff, all working in extremely difficult, crowded conditions. I commend them on the excellent work they do with the pupils. Even the staff room is used for meetings and lunch breaks.
For years the people of Kilmihil and surrounding areas had been campaigning for a new school to relieve the overcrowding. A feasibility study report was completed for County Clare Vocational Education Committee in June 2001 with the approval of the Department of Education and Science. Its finding was that no significant cost saving would be made by the Department for refurbishing and extending the existing building as opposed to building on a nearby greenfield site which was available. In December 2001, however, the Department rejected that option and issued a schedule for the future use of the existing accommodation. The schedule catered for 300 students, even though the college had 331 students. That did not make much sense.
In June 2002 the options were discussed again and in November 2002 representatives of County Clare VEC met officials of the Department. They left that meeting happy that the school would be given immediate priority and that the request would be sent to the Minister for a decision in January 2003. Another meeting followed later that week and it was the clear understanding of the VEC that the option of a major extension on the existing site was agreed. The necessary paperwork of agreement by the VEC was forwarded to the Department on 13 January 2003. The feasibility study was amended and forwarded to the Department as instructed. My colleagues and I as a member of the VEC were assured that it would be sent to the Minister for inclusion in the 2003 schools building programme.
My understanding now is that option (e) is under consideration by the Department. This involves demolishing the new structure, which was built in 1986 and located in the middle of the existing buildings, and replacing it with a three storey building. This option would cause major disruption for the students and take at least 12 months to complete. There would also be major concerns about safety.
The confusion about this matter must be cleared. The building project in the school is a priority. The best option for its future must be clarified and addressed immediately as a matter of urgency under health and safety legislation. The school must be included in the 2004 schools building programme. The Minister should remember that there are 331 students in a building designed for 185 students.
