Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2007

Vol. 187 No. 22

School Facilities.

Senator Frances Fitzgerald

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. I ask the Minister for Education and Science to clarify the situation regarding the playing field beside the church which was previously used by Scoil Chrónáin in Rathcoole, County Dublin. It cannot be utilised currently owing to the state in which it has been left following upgrade works to the N7. Furthermore, I ask the Minister to confirm whether her Department owns this field and, if so, whether she has any intention of selling it for development, and what, as far as the Department is aware, is the current status of this field and its ownership. I am concerned by the way the school and its community have been left with a cloud of confusion and uncertainty with regard to the future of the playing field and school facility.

The matter seems quite simple at first. There is a field located near the school, which is used by the school for student recreation. The field then became inaccessible owing to the need to upgrade the N7. However, the school's board of management was left in no doubt by the council that the field would be restored to its original state following the conclusion of the upgrade works. Yet, at this stage, the school has been unable to use the playing field for over four years. Its management has been left in a situation where it has had to pursue endlessly the council and the Department of Education and Science on this matter. The people concerned are stressed and concerned about the impact on the school and the children. I ask the Minister to intervene and clarify the matter. Put simply, without access to this area, the school must continue to incur significant costs, both financial and timewise, in trying to arrange for students to be transported to other facilities.

The situation could also affect the number of children the school can enrol in future owing to the limited recreation space without the use of this field. I ask the Minister to clarify the ownership of this area. If the Department owns it, is it in a position to give an undertaking that it will not be sold for development and will be available to Scoil Chrónáin in future? The school has been a wonderful educational amenity to the community of Rathcoole. The Department should support its endeavours to provide comprehensive and holistic educational facilities, including the use of this playing field once more. This simple matter is of great concern to the school in question and its board of management.

Deputy Tony Killeen

I thank Senator Fitzgerald for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, to clarify the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding the playing fields at Scoil Chrónáin. In 2003, the Department agreed to dispose of a small portion of its lands at Scoil Chrónáin to facilitate the upgrading of the N7 and to provide alternative access from Main Street, Rathcoole. This small portion of land formed part of the school's playing field. The agreement was subject to a number of conditions, including the making good and reseeding of the playing field on completion of the works.

While the improved access has now been provided, the Department was notified by a representative of the school management that some works still remain outstanding, specifically relating to the reinstatement of the playing field. The Department subsequently raised the matter with South Dublin County Council, which has advised that the only outstanding works at present relate to landscaping of the green space that was affected by the provision of the access road. The Department is further advised that a landscaping contractor recently commenced works to cut back growth on the site and that the area will be top soiled and reseeded.

As Senator Fitzgerald will appreciate, the school management is better placed to monitor progress of the works and to ensure their completion. The Department will shortly be contacting the school management in this regard. I can confirm that the school site, including the playing field, is in State ownership and that there are no proposals at the present time to sell any of the lands in question. Once the grounds are reinstated the field can be used by the school for recreational purposes. I thank the Senator once again for raising this matter and allowing me to clarify the Department's position relating to these lands.