Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 165 No. 1

Adjournment Matters. - Schools Refurbishment.

Mr. Costello

This matter is of considerable concern to the Sheriff Street community. St. Laurence O'Toole's primary school, Seville Place, has a crèche and a pre-school is located there. The crèche deals with young children from the age of 18 months to three years, while the pre-school deals with pupils from three to five years. The Department of Education and Science proposes to refurbish the primary school, to commence this June, with an expected timescale of 12 months.

Provision is being made for prefabricated buildings in the yard of the primary school while no provision is being made for the pre-school, the crèche or the after school project, which is located in one of the two rooms that were assigned in the earlier days to the current pre-school and crèche facility. Expansion was made in that direction as the numbers diminished.

The primary school needs considerable refurbishment. This should have been done years ago and it should have been made brighter and more attractive. At present it resembles an almost prison-style building and it badly needs upgrading. The problem is that there is no place to locate the pre-school, the crèche or the after school service. That means that almost 100 young children will be deprived of a service if something is not done about it.

What is required is an interim arrangement at least for the school year. The emphasis is on a more holistic approach to education and the provision of funding by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in terms of capital grants for premises. The Department of Education and Science should consider the provision of permanent premises. It should not be left in limbo where it is not known from day to day whether a service will be provided.

What steps is the Department prepared to take to ensure that the children in the crèche, the pre-school and the after school will have a premises and that their parents will be satisfied that they will receive the services, both educational and child care, which they are getting at present? As far as I am aware, no provision has been made in the plans by the Department to address the refurbishment problem. If this is not addressed it will be a matter of concern to the community involved and I have no doubt it will be protested to in the most substantial terms in the Taoiseach's constituency. I hope the Minster has good news to report.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I am glad Senator Costello has given me the opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding refurbishment work to be carried out at St. Laurence O'Toole's primary school, Seville Place. The management authorities of the school applied to the Department of Education and Science for grant assistance towards improved accommodation. The Department subsequently approved a major refurbishment project to proceed to architectural planning and a design team was appointed to advance the project through the various stages of the planning process. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning and it is intended to begin construction when this has been completed.

The question of providing on-site temporary accommodation for the teachers and pupils of the primary school during the construction phase is currently under consideration and the Department will shortly be in contact with the school about this. However, it is a matter for the school authorities to address the accommodation needs of the crèche and pre-school as the Department does not provide capital funding for such facilities.

With regard to the funding of schools generally, the Senator will be aware that significant progress has been made by the Government over the past three years in eliminating substandard schools. The project at St. Laurence O'Toole's primary school is part of this ongoing process and the Department's priority is to ensure that the permanent accommodation at the school is upgraded as speedily as possible.

Mr. Costello

That is one of the most uncaring responses to an issue I have raised. The Minister of State said it is a matter for the school authorities to address the accommodation needs of the crèche and pre-school as the Department does not provide capital funding for such facilities.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Costello has made his contribution. I cannot allow him to rehash the case.

Mr. Costello

I am not. The Department is providing pre-fabricated buildings for the primary school pupils but is providing nothing for the crèche and the pre-school, both of which have been in place for years. Surely it could have addressed the two at the same time in providing an education to the children in the area.

Dr. Moffatt

I note what the Senator has said and will bring it to the attention of the Minister to see if the reply can be revised. However, as stated in the reply, it is not in the remit of the Department to address the issue of the crèche.