Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - School Accommodation.

Mr. Durkan

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to air this matter by way of this process. It relates to the subject matter of a parliamentary question, which I tabled on numerous occasions during the past three years, particularly during the past two years. This matter relates to a request for the Minister for Education and Science to respond to the often submitted documentation relating to the needs of the local post-primary school in Maynooth, to which my children went to school.

This school was built to accommodate approximately 650 students but now has 811 on the roll book. This is an exceptionally good school and a fine crop of students have graduated from it every year since it was established. It has done a great job but it is sad that it is now incapable of complying with health and safety regulations by virtue of the poor condition of some of the accommodation whereby old and dilapidated prefabs have to be used to meet requirements, thus putting teachers and students at risk.

The Minister's reply to a parliamentary question I tabled yesterday is confusing. He took a number of questions together, which is a cause for concern. The reply is in the form of a group photograph and in a group photograph of that nature individual schools do not always come out to the best, as in the case of individuals in a group photograph who sometimes are not reflected to their best advantage.

Mr. O'Donoghue

Some of us always stand out.

Mr. Durkan

In his reply the Minister states that the proposed large-scale building projects for the school referred to by the Deputy are listed in section 7 of the 2003 school building programme, which is published on the Department's website, which we have all been invited to visit on previous occasions. He said the proposed projects are at the early stages of architectural planning and have been assigned a band rating by the Department in accordance with the public criteria for the prioritising of large-scale projects. I regret to inform the Minister that in this case, all stages have been proceeded with long ago. Planning permission was granted more than two years ago.

It is now entirely a matter for the Department to respond to the school's needs and ensure than in the future an accurate response is given to a simple question. There is nothing so annoying to the people who are concerned – in this instance, parents, pupils and teachers – than to get a reply which is not factual. I ask the Minister to take up this issue again, look at the proposal as it is and in future try to at least assess such issues on the basis of factual information.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, apologises to Deputy Durkan for his inability to attend, and he has asked me to reply on his behalf. He thanks Deputy Durkan for giving him the opportunity, through me, to outline to the House the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding the proposed extension for Maynooth post-primary school.

Mr. M. Smith

Deputy Durkan was not in the House when that matter was raised.

Mr. O'Donoghue

The 2004 building programme has just been published on the Department's website at www.education.ie. This programme is a further major step in progressing the Government's consistent commitment since 1997 to deal with school accommodation needs. It details in excess of 170 significant school building projects that are being authorised to proceed to tender and construction in 2004.

The building project for Maynooth post-primary school is listed in section 9 of the 2004 school building programme and is at an early stage of architectural planning. The project has been assigned a band 3 rating in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. The indicative timescale for this large-scale project going to tender is post 2004.

Regarding band ratings, the Department will consult with the education partners early in 2004 on the prioritisation criteria to ensure they have the optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of the primary and post-primary sectors.

The programme will be updated early in 2004 with details of how the additional €30 million funding announced in the budget will be spent. In addition, it is open to all schools to make applications for grant aid for refurbishment works under the recently announced summer works scheme. The Department operates this innovative scheme, which enables schools to undertake refurbishment works during the summer holidays, on a hands off basis. Application forms and further details on the scheme are available on the Department's website.

Large-scale projects that are not going to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme are being reviewed with a view to including them as part of a multiannual building programme from 2005 onwards. The Department of Education and Science expects to be in a position to make a further announcement on this matter during 2004.

I thank Deputy Durkan again for the opportunity of outlining the current situation to the House.

The Taoiseach

I wish the Opposition leaders, Deputies Kenny, Rabbitte, Sargent, Ó Caoláin and the members of the Technical Group a peaceful and happy Christmas. I wish the same to the Clerk of the Dáil, the Captain of the Guard, the Superintendent and all other staff in the House. I trust that the Members of all parties will have a restful and peaceful Christmas. On behalf of the Government I also extend that wish to all the staff of the House, those working for the political parties, the Houses of the Oireachtas, our colleagues and all the staff in the Upper House, as well as the journalists and all those who look after the services in this House.

Most especially I wish the Ceann Comhairle and his staff a happy Christmas. I thank them for the courtesy they have shown us. We spend much of our time in this House noting the Ceann Comhairle's work in presiding over the Chamber, keeping order in it and moving the business of the Dáil ahead. We appreciate that work, which requires that the Ceann Comhairle spend more time in the House than anyone else. We also appreciate the work of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and those who assist in the work of the Chair.

I trust that everyone will have a restful Christmas and I thank all who work with us in Leinster House for their services this year. I thank all in the Chamber. When I say the work is appreciated I am sure I speak for everyone in the House. The rest will be shorter this year. I appreciate that some committees will be sitting again before the end of the Christmas period, and I hope the committee members will have a good rest in this shorter period. I wish the best to all.

An Ceann Comhairle

On my own behalf and that of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and our staff, I thank the Taoiseach for his good wishes for Christmas. I wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a pleasant and productive 2004.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.05 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 20 January 2004.