I am glad of the opportunity to raise this issue on the Adjournment thereby bringing you, Sir, from the lofty realms of university education to the more mundane matters of second level education. The Cathaoirleach has had his fill of lectures from the lecturers and professors in recent days and nights. I am sure the realities of second level school buildings will bring him back to normality.
This issue is one that has been in the political domain for over five years when it was agreed to proceed with a single site community school at Kilrush. The CBS boys secondary school and the Convent of Mercy secondary school agreed to amalgamate on a single site. Since then, various developments have taken place and properties have been acquired by the Department of Education. In February 1996 the Department allocated £1.2 million to build this school but no building work has yet commenced. The issue has become extremely serious because, as I indicated in the house some months ago, the girls' convent secondary school must provide vacant possession by 1 June 1997. To date, however, we have not been notified of a commencement date, which is extremely unsatisfactory.
The parents, pupils and teachers concerned have been patient and understanding given what has occurred in Kilrush over the past five years. They are now at the point of desperation, however. It was decided last November that parents would remove their children from the school if a commencement date for the building was not provided by the Department of Education. The principal of the school has notified all parents that teachers in the ASTI and TUI unions have decided to proceed with providing educational facilities next Monday on one site only, namely the CBS site in Kilrush, unless a commencement date is announced.
Parents have agreed to withdraw their children and the only classes that will be provided are those for pupils sitting examinations and for special classes. They want to find out exactly when the building will commence, its completion date and the classroom accommodation arrangements for next September. As five years have elapsed since this matter commenced, it is a reasonable request from parents, teachers and the board of management.
The board of management fully understands and appreciates the position taken by the ASTI and TUI. It views this with great concern. In fairness to all concerned, because the plans were laid before Kilrush Urban District Council earlier this year and because of the urgency involved, it was arranged that the planning process would be expedited as quickly as possible. Planning permission was granted but to date we are still stuck on stage three, which is most unsatisfactory. I request the Minister to give us a commencement date for this school.
These children deserve a proper building in which to be educated. It takes approximately ten minutes for teachers and children to go from one school to another and if they are caught in the rain, they must sit in wet clothes for the rest of the day. These children cannot achieve their full educational potential if this situation is allowed to continue. Teachers should not be expected to provide classes in two schools. I ask the Minister to announce a commencement and completion date.
