I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Aylward, for taking this matter. I am sure the fact that the Minister of Education is not here is not an indication that she does not take this matter seriously.
The situation is the greater Blanchardstown area, and particularly Castleknock, is that the electorate felt so irate about the lack of a post-primary school that during the last general election they fielded not one but two candidates; they put forward one candidate in Dublin North and in Dublin West because that constituency is divided. This was to highlight the fact that they wanted the post-primary school which they had been promised 20 years previously and which has never been built.
This matter has a long history. A decision was made that a site and a certain type of post-primary school was not suitable. However, a small village with a population of 1,000 has now grown to a large town with a population of approximately 60,000. The facilities have not kept abreast of that growth.
There are post-primary schools in the greater Blanchardstown area and two of the community schools have a student population of approximately 1,000. Educationalists have recognised that it is not possible to provide the best type of educational opportunities for pupils whose numbers exceed 1,000. A considerable number of children are commuting from outside the Blanchardstown area and they have been able to avail of places in schools in Stanhope Street, Brunswick Street, North Richmond Street and on the Navan Road. However, this option is no longer available as the population has also grown in these areas.
Each June I receive numerous telephone calls from people who have been told that there is no place for their children in school. Fortunately, these situations are rectified by September. However, this will not continue. Pickets will continue to be placed at the Dáil gates. I know that every area makes their case for a post-primary school. I am not asking the Minister to be Solomon.
Prior to the general election, the former Minister for Education, Deputy O'Rourke, comissioned an independent report by Professor Bannon to identify the educational requirements, particularly the post-primary requirements, for the Blanchardstown and Dunboyne areas. As a result of that report, a post-primary school, which will cater for the needs of that areas, was sanctioned for Hartstown before the temporary structure was in place. There is now a prefabricated building on the site. However, by the time that school is built there will be insufficient places to cater for the needs of the greater Blanchardstown and Castleknock areas.
There are two private schools in the area, St. Joseph's Convent, Mount Sackville and St. Vincent's, Castleknock. Each time the argument is raised about the provision of a second level school in Castleknock, both of these institutions state that they will provide for the urgent need which exists. However, this has not happened and the people in Castleknock who need post-primary places for their children are unable to afford private education. I am not asking the Minister for Education to be Solomon and decide that Castleknock should have a school and Dunboyne should not, or vice versa.
When the former Minister for Education, Deputy O'Rourke, appointed the Bannon Commission and prior to the last general election, candidates from every party, particularly from the Labour Party demanded that the results of that report be made public. The Minister for Education, Deputy Bhreathnach, has not acceded to the request by the local community to make that report public. If this report substantiates the call by the local people for a post-primary school in Castleknock, then the Minister must respond. If it does not, then we can tell the people that the independent report which was commissioned does not state there is a need. The representations I have received indicate there is a need for this school.
Today in the Dublin County Council offices an action plan was presented for the extended area of Castleknock, in Porterstown and Diswellstown, where 2,900 houses will be built. A site is being reserved there by Dublin County Council for a post-primary school. Permission has also been given for a further 1,000 houses in Clonsilla. There is no post-primary school there to cater for the needs of that area. This is probably the fastest growing area in Ireland.
I am not asking the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Aylward, to give a commitment on this matter this evening. The people of the area have their own statistics to show there is a need for this school. I want the Minister to publish the Bannon report. It will prove there is a need for a post-primary school in the greater Blanchardstown and Castleknock areas. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.
