Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Priority Questions. - Education Centres.

Paudge Connolly

Question:

91 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is proposed to close three full-time education centres and a number of part-time centres; if it is also proposed to defer the provision of another education centre in Baile Bhúirne, County Cork, which was to support the study of the Irish language at all levels; if previously announced plans to extend the education centre service have been cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15850/03]

Mr. N. Dempsey

The education centres referred to in the Deputy's question are not scheduled for closure. A report has been presented to my Department by the Centre for Management Organisation and Development, CMOD, of the Department of Finance which recently undertook a review of the education centre network. This report contains a wide range of recommendations, including the closure of three full-time centres in Kildare, Kilkenny and Sligo and the closure of all part-time centres excluding the Gaeltacht part-time centres.

The CMOD review and the wide range of recommendations made in it are being considered in my Department at present. Decisions regarding the recommendations contained in the review will be taken following a thorough consideration of all the relevant issues and in the context of consultation with the Association of Teachers' Education Centres in Ireland, ATECI. This process is currently under way.

A new centre, an tIonad Náisiúnta Oideachais Gaeilge, is to be established in Baile Bhúirne, County Cork. This centre will have a specific remit regarding support for teaching of Irish and teaching through Irish. However, since it will have none of the characteristics of the existing education centres in terms of remit, constituency or structure, it has not been considered in the context of the CMOD review.

As regards an tIonad Náisiúnta Oideachais Ghaeilge at Baile Bhúirne, officials of my Department have been in discussions with officials of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding the latter Department providing financial assistance towards the capital cost of this project. While agreement in principle has been reached in this matter, the precise details are yet to be resolved.

Additionally, a number of matters relating to the acquisition of the site and the overall design of the centre are currently being examined. When all of these matters are finally determined, the question of authorising the invitation of tenders for this project will be decided. I wish also to clarify that there were no previously announced plans to extend the standard education centre service – the service as covered by the CMOD report.

Mr. Connolly

I am concerned by reports I read in the media recently. We have often received the same denials in the health service. It is a case of treating it as no smoke without fire. Will the Minister agree that his Department's proposal to close three education centres, which cost €2 million to refurbish during the past three years, would be a retrograde step and a classic case of false economy? The proposal also includes reassigning teachers in the schools that use the three centres to other education centres at great cost in terms of travel, time and expenses. The proposed closures also represent a case of waste of educational resources and of a key professional development service for teachers.

Has the proposed €1.9 million educational centre for Ballyvourney in County Cork been long-fingered? Its function is to support the teaching of Irish from pre-school to third level, and it should have been given precedence over other projects. It is also to be a national centre to assist teachers. Does the Minister agree that the education centres, formerly known as teachers' centres, were set up as an imaginative and innovative means of providing teachers with education materials? Their objectives are the educational support of teachers. They aimed to be centres where teachers could meet, share and discuss common problems. They also offered the opportunity to break the isolation of teachers, particularly in rural areas, by providing them with a networking infrastructure.

The education centres also provide a wide range of aids to teachers including videos, laboratory equipment—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is not in order to make a long statement at Question Time. The Deputy may ask short supplementary questions.

Mr. Connolly

Does the Minister agree the centres should be maintained? Teachers get older and need to be kept abreast of things. They have to reinvent themselves a number of times throughout their lifetime as teachers, often at their own expense. The resource centres provide excellent value for money. I would like to hear the Minister's comments on this matter.

Mr. N. Dempsey

I am not sure what the question was, it sounded more like a statement. I agree the education centres serve a useful purpose and it is my desire to ensure that they are even more useful. Leaving aside the recommendation made in regard to the possible closure of a number of centres, a matter I dealt with earlier, the report made a number of other useful recommendations in regard to rationalisation, geographic remit, etc., which the centres would accept. I agree the centres have acquitted themselves well. There are faults that can be addressed. I understand I will shortly receive submissions from the teacher centres' representative body, the ATECI, which will make positive suggestions.

I reiterate that this is not a Department proposal. The Department has made no proposals in regard to closure of the education centres. CMOD produced a report which made that kind of proposal to the Department. It has not responded yet because it is engaging in consultation.

In regard to Baile Bhúirne, I have heard the rumours being touted that the project is being long-fingered. There has been progress and I am talking with my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. We have made good progress although there are issues that need to be addressed in regard to the site and the cost of the initial building plan put forward, which was a luxury model. However, there is nothing that cannot be overcome. A number of colleagues besides the Deputy have expressed interest in the matter. I assure the Deputy that it is not being long-fingered.