Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1983

Vol. 101 No. 3

Adjournment Matter. - Limerick Model Schools.

Mr. Kennedy

Ar dtús, tá an-áthas ormsa an deis seo a bheith agam ceist na modh-scoileanna i Luimneach a chur os comhair an Tí seo agus os comhair an Aire. Iarraim ar an Aire tosach láithreach a dhéanamh maidir le atógáil na Modhscoileanna i Luimneach.

I am very grateful indeed for the opportunity of raising in this House the important question of the immediate rebuilding of the Model Schools in Limerick and of highlighting the totally unsatisfactory and unacceptable conditions endured by the pupils and teachers of the Limerick Model Schools for the past six years.

The model schools were burnt down on 3 September 1977 and since then all the children have been taught in pre-fabricated classrooms, now amounting to 16 units in all. It is interesting to note that when planning permission was given by Limerick Corporation regarding the erection of these units it was given on the clear understanding that it would be for a three-year period and on a temporary basis in order to allow the Department of Education and the Board of Works to commence the permanent redevelopment of these schools.

I must say that all the public representatives in Limerick and myself in particular are very disappointed that there has been a six-year delay in the rebuilding of this very important school. At the time of the fire in 1977 the pupil enrolment in the model schools stood at 350 pupils, 175 boys and 175 girls. Now in 1983 the pupil enrolment stands at 463, 239 boys and 224 girls. This considerable increase in the student population of the school clearly points out the urgent need for its immediate rebuilding. An increase in six years of 33 per cent, or 113 pupils, indicates the commitment of the people of Limerick to the Irish language and using it as a medium for teaching other subjects. The model schools were opened officially as far back as 1855 and have operated since 1931 as all-Irish schools. They are the only scoileanna lán Ghaeilge in the whole Limerick area.

The increase in enrolment clearly indicates the great demand for this type of education in Limerick and its environs. I would like to point out to the House that the schools serve not only Limerick city but over 20 parishes in Limerick and its environs. What I have said so far indicates the unique, significant and special role of the model schools in the education of the Limerick school children. The schools have carved out a special niche for themselves in the history of education. As a teacher, I readily acknowledge the expertise and wonderful dedication and commitment of the teachers. These pupils are excellently prepared and have won distinctions for themselves at home and abroad.

In addition, I want to refer to the significant fact that the Minister for Education herself is in fact the patron of the schools and a departmental inspector is the manager of the schools. That is very important at a time when we are talking about changes in the curriculum and pilot projects in the whole area of education.

Finally, I am aware that the Minister of Education has approved grants amounting to over £925,000 and that these will be adjusted and obviously will come to one million pounds or so eventually. The full cost of this project will be met by the Department of Education. This will include the incorporation of the existing facade of this excellent building. The Board of Works gave us an assurance late last year and again earlier this year that it was expected that the bill of quantities and working drawings would be ready by August of this year. I am still hoping that tenders will be invited at an early date. For all those reasons I appeal to the Minister of State on behalf of the pupils, teachers, parents and past pupils to put in hand the immediate rebuilding of the model school and, if possible, to indicate an approximate date for the commencement of the work.

I should like to thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity of raising this serious matter and I look forward to hearing the Minister of State.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. J. Bermingham)

Limerick Model School which is the property of the State was severely damaged by fire in September 1977 and the major part of it is a burnt out shell with walls and chimneys standing. The school children are at present being housed in prefabricated classrooms on the site. We accept that the accommodation in the prefabs is not satisfactory. Careful consideration was given to the restoration of the damaged building in the proposals for a new school and it was considered that it would not be feasible to provide classroom facilities up to current educational standards in the restored building and the restored area would be under utilised. Our original proposal was to demolish the remains of the building and build a completely new school.

In October 1980 the Department of Education informed the Office of Public Works that it had decided that a new co-educational school containing 12 classrooms and offices for inspectors should be erected on the site independent of the old building.

In December 1980 the Office of Public Works wrote to Limerick Corporation saying that restoration of the burnt out structure would not be a viable proposition and asked for its observations on our desire to demolish the old structure and build a completely new school.

In March 1981 Limerick Corporation indicated to the Office of Public Works that complete demolition would not be acceptable and insisted that the facade and central block be retained because of strong local interest in the building. In deference to the views of Limerick Corporation, and we presume Limerick people in general, the Office of Public Works engaged the services of a structural engineer to advise on the stability of the structure and the feasibility of retaining the front section of the building including the facade. In July 1981 the engineer confirmed that the front walls were structurally sound and could be reutilised.

The Office of Public Works then agreed to prepare sketch plans for the reconstruction of the front portion of the building to provide offices for the Department of Education inspectors and ancillary facilities for the school and the erection of a new school block at the rere. The sketch plans were completed in October 1981 and had then to be sent to the quantity surveyor for costings.

In February 1982 the quantity surveyor submitted a cost plan for the proposals. The period of time was unusually long because of the complex nature of the proposals.

In June 1982 the Department of Education approved the proposals. In July 1982 the Office of Public Works sent the plans to Limerick Corporation for their observations under section 84 of the Planning Acts. In September 1982 the corporation approved the proposals subject to some minor amendments. In October 1982 the Department of Education sanctioned a full-cost grant towards the cost of the project.

Before advanced planning could be progressed the Office of Public Works learned of a change in the school accommodation and sought clarification of this from the Department of Education in February 1983. In April 1983 the Department indicated that 16 classrooms would be required. Working drawings for the new block are virtually completed and advanced plans for the restoration work are in hands.

The next step is the completion of a cost plan by the quantity surveyor and then the preparation of bills of quantities. It is hoped to have all the contract documents completed in about five to six months time. The time required for the preparation of contract documents may seem long but this is a very large undertaking made difficult by the need to restore the damaged building.

When the contract documents are completed, the Office of Public Works will be in a position to invite tenders subject to the approval of the Department of Education.

I am satisfied that the Office of Public Works have met the reasonable requirements of the various local interested parties. I am also satisfied that there has been no delay on the part of the Office of Public Works in handling this matter. Having regard to the fact that a revised brief was received in April of this year, good progress has been made. All concerned may rest assured that the matter will be brought to a conclusion as soon as is possible.

The Seanad adjourned at 9.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 30 June 1983.