Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Nov 1996

Vol. 149 No. 7

Adjournment Matters. - Kilmurry (Clare) National School.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

Kilmurry is situated just some distance from Sixmilebridge and is in an area of County Clare where the population is constantly expanding. As a result, there is greater pressure on all facilities in the area, including the educational facilities. Kilmurry primary school now has three teachers and I put on record the thanks of the people of the area to the Minister for Education for appointing a third teacher.

Difficulties arise with regard to accommodation at the school, which is over 100 years old and comprises two classrooms. The necessity for a third classroom was dealt with by providing accommodation in the local community hall which is some distance from the school. The junior classes and their teacher operate within that building. However, for play purposes and special occasions they must walk to the old school along a busy road. This is dangerous for the children and places the teacher in a stressful and invidious situation. I hope there will not be any accidents, because if there are people will have questions to answer.

We must look at this matter very seriously with a view to providing funding in the 1997 Estimates to enable the Department to proceed with the construction of an additional classroom, a teacher's room and proper toilets. The board of management and the parents' council are very conscientious and do an excellent job. In addition, the parents' association is very good, especially in enabling the local hall to be made more attractive for the children. They are most conscientious and reasonable people who fully understand the position. However, it is unreasonable to expect the current situation to continue.

I reiterate the difficulty which arises with regard to the safety of the children travelling from the hall to the school for particular functions. In view of these circumstances and the demands regarding the overall position at Kilmurry national school, I appeal to the Minister to ensure provision is made for the school in the 1997 Estimates so work can commence at an early date to rectify the problem as soon as possible. I ask the Minister to treat this as a matter of priority in the Department. I wish to share my time with Senator Daly.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Daly

I thank Senator Taylor-Quinn for sharing her time. I support the demands for an additional classroom at the Kilmurry school. As Senator Taylor-Quinn said, Kilmurry is a small village situated between Sixmilebridge and Kilkishen and adjacent to Shannon Airport. The area is developing rapidly and many new families have moved there. Many new houses have been built and the population is increasing. More children are coming onto the school roll and an additional teacher was appointed some time ago.

However, the school does not accept that the Minister for Education cannot provide finance for the new classroom. It would not be an enormous burden on the Department's finances and, with the Minister's goodwill, the people involved feel it should be possible to secure the funds and ensure the work gets underway as soon as possible. I will not repeat the case adequately put by Senator Taylor-Quinn. However, I am disappointed that the Minister for Education or the Minister of State in that Department are not present. This case relates to that Department, although I appreciate that Minister of State, Deputy Stagg, is present. I ask him to convey our views to the Minister for Education and to ask her to release finance for this project.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Stagg)

The Minister for Education asked me to apologise for her inability to come to the House for the debate. I thank Senator Taylor-Quinn for raising the matter and also thank Senator Daly for his contribution. I am glad to have this opportunity to outline the current position relating to the accommodation difficulties at Kilmurry national school.

I am aware that the school has a staffing level of a principal and two assistant teachers, one of whom was appointed last month. The current accommodation is two permanent classrooms with one of the classes being accommodated in a local community hall since the appointment of the second assistant. The Department has provided grant aid to assist with the conversion of the hall for use as a temporary classroom. I am aware that the classrooms are small in size compared to modern classrooms and that additional accommodation is needed.

The Department has examined the accommodation and accepts that the best solution is a permanent extension at an estimated cost of £80,000. Due to the current level of contractual commitments on the primary school capital programme, the Minister is not in a position to give a commitment as to when funding will be made available to initiate this work. However, the project will be considered when the next capital programme is being determined in 1997. The procedure is that projects are reviewed against a set of objectives and a priority listing is prepared which governs the order in which projects are prioritised. The extent of the projects selected will be dictated by the capital allocations available.

I accept that the current conditions are unsatisfactory. The Senators can be assured of the desire for an improvement in the current facilities and I thank them for this opportunity to outline the current position. I will bring to the attention of the Minister, in a sympathetic manner, the strong case put by the Senators about the needs of the school at Kilmurry, County Clare.

The Seanad adjourned at 2.5 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 November 1996.