Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Apr 1994

Vol. 140 No. 2

Adjournment Matters. - Castlepollard (Westmeath) Vocational School.

Mr. Cassidy

I thank you for allowing me the time to express my opinion on this matter and to put before the Minister the serious problem that exists at Coláiste Cionntorc at Castlepollard, County Westmeath. This is the only second level school in north County Westmeath and it is very important to the community at that end of the county which is rural in make up.

The school was built in 1937 and has had little investment in the last 30 years. The only investment made in this period has been the erection of eight prefabs; in 1984 some of these prefabs were second hand. The structure of prefabs is, by definition, temporary in nature. However, ten years later the school faces a serious situation with an increase in pupil demand but, because of lack of facilities there is no space available to meet this demand.

The school has 11 teachers and four job sharing. The record of the school is illustrated by the fact that 60 per cent of those who sit leaving certificate examinations go on to third level. In the mid-1980s the school was upgraded from intermediate certificate to leaving certificate.

I am putting this case to the Minister on behalf of the subcommittee of the vocational education committee under Mr. Ciaran Temple, and the committee, under our hard working chairman, to ask the Department of Education to replace the existing prefab structures.

The school has no assembly room, no changing room and no gym facilities. When the principal wishes to address the students he is obliged to address each class. This is not good enough. The subcommittee has considered the possibility of a green field site and has had discussions with the Department of Education. The view appears to be that the existing prefab structures should be replaced by new buildings. I am calling on the Minister for funding in the region of £600,000 which could be spent over two financial years.

The classrooms and the buildings required are essential if we are to continue teaching in the school in the coming years. It is not an issue that can be put on the long finger; it is a matter which must be dealt with by the Department before the summer recess.

I am disappointed the Minister for Education was not available to attend the House this evening, although the House is fortunate to have in attendance an excellent Minister of State, Deputy Aylward.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

It is a case of party bias.

Mr. Cassidy

However, the Minister for Education is responsible for the school building programme and we, in the rural part of County Westmeath, require immediate action on this matter. It was difficult for teachers and students to move from one building to another to take classes this year, given the bad weather since November last, and it was not unusual for them to have to wear overcoats.

I do not wish to be alarmist because the teachers are excellent, the school is producing excellent results, the parents support the school and the community recognises the great contribution the school is making. Although we do not have a playing field, the school has won the Leinster Hurling Championship two years since the school gained leaving certificate status. In addition, the school has won an all Ireland gold medal in the Community Games. Everything is being done in this area except for a commitment from the Department, to provide the necessary funding. The prefabs are a disgrace and I invite the Minister to visit Castlepollard and view for herself the conditions there.

When I consider the hundreds of thousands of pounds that have been spent on other areas and the fact that our proposal has been with the Department since the late 1980s, with deputation after deputation to various Ministers, I fail to understand where value for money can be obtained and acknowledged.

These prefabs were erected as a temporary measure, yet 20 years later they are still there. This situation should not be allowed to continue and I look forward to the Minister of State's reply and to the Minister for Education accepting my invitation to visit Castlepollard at an early date.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Aylward)

I will pass on Senator Cassidy's invitation to the Minister. I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment and I appreciate his genuine concern regarding accommodation at Castlepollard vocational school. I can readily identify with the problems of inadequate accommodation in any school, especially where a school has a number of prefabs.

At the outset I wish to give some brief details on the background to this case. Castlepollard vocational school is the only post primary school in the catchment area and currently has an enrolment of 183 pupils. The present accommodation consists of a small permanent block and a block of prefabricated classrooms.

In 1985 a proposal to provide an extension to the school was sanctioned and preliminary planning was initiated. However, enrolments at the school were falling and in 1989, in line with all other major projects, the proposed extension at Castlepollard vocational school was subjected to critical review in the light of all relevant factors, including the most up to date statistical data and demographic trends.

According to a report by the Central Statistics Office, County Westmeath was one of the four counties most severely hit by emigration in the period 1986 to 1991. In fact, the number of births recorded for County Westmeath in the period 1980 to 1991 fell by 36 per cent. In the circumstances, the long term viability of Castlepollard vocational school had to be seriously examined.

In May 1993, the Minister met with a deputation from County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee and the position of Castlepollard vocational school was discussed. At that meeting it was indicated by the Minister to the deputation that the provision of an extension as originally planned could not be justified in the light of the foregoing information.

Following this meeting, the vocational education committee sought approval from the Department to provide a completely new school building on a new site to replace the existing facilities at Castlepollard vocational school. In order to assess how best the accommodation needs might be addressed, the vocational education committee has been asked to undertake a technical examination of all the existing accommodation at the school. When this is received, officials from the planning and building unit of the Department will consider all the options regarding the future of the school in terms of enrolment, future viability and cost implications.

Based on the outcome of these considerations a decision can then be reached on the best way forward for Castlepollard vocational school. The points raised by Senator Cassidy will be fully considered when this examination takes place.

Mr. Cassidy

Of the 24 pupils who left Castlepollard national school last year, 21 enrolled in this school. Many pupils are going to other schools and have to travel 20 miles in hired buses because services are not provided. This does not make sense. Castlepollard deserves a school of its own as much as other areas and should be allowed to develop. This is a disgrace and a scandal. The Minister has a duty to the students of this area and has slighted them and their parents by not coming to the House.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

This is a reflection on the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward.

Mr. Cassidy

If the Senator was here earlier, she would have heard what I said about the Minister of State.