Vol. 259 No. 8
asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to ensure that the views of the parents in the Raheny-Kilbarrack area, County Dublin, which favour schools of a multi-denominational and co-educational character are taken into account in his Department's proposals for post-primary education in the area.
43.
asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of reports of a recent public meeting between an official of his Department and residents of the Raheny-Kilbarrack area, County Dublin, at which post-primary education in the area was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
44.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that at a recent public meeting his Department's plans in relation to post-primary education in the Raheny-Kilbarrack area, County Dublin, were criticised by principals of the schools in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
45.
asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his proposals for primary and post-primary school facilities in the expanding districts of Artane, Coolock, Raheny and Kilbarrack, County Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 43, 44 and 45 together.
I am aware of what transpired at the meeting referred to by the Deputy. My Department's plans for the whole of this area stretching eastwards from Artane and Coolock to the coast provide for over 12,500 post-primary school places being made available on a phased basis to meet demand as it arises. A substantial number of these places have already been provided, sites have been reserved for further building and this building will take place as required. The criticisms of a few individual school principals were related to the timing of the expansion of their own particular schools. My Department is satisfied that existing accommodation supplemented by some prefabricated classrooms will be adequate to meet the demand for places next September but that additional permanent building will be required by September, 1973. Steps are being taken in accordance with the Department's plans to provide further permanent accommodation in this area by September, 1973. The views expressed by the parents at the Kilbarrack meeting will be considered in relation to developments in that part of the area.
In the matter of primary school building, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to furnish for inclusion in the Official Report a tabular statement giving the information.
Following is the statement:
Primary School facilities in the districts of Artane, Coolock, Raheny and Kilbarrack, County Dublin.
|
Pupil Places |
|
|
1. Name of School: |
|
|
St. Benedict's Boys and Girls (Grange Park—Kilbarrack Upper) |
1,700 |
|
Kilbarrack East Boys (1st and 2nd Sections) |
700 |
|
Kilbarrack East Girls (2nd Section) |
400 |
|
Kilmore Road Boys and Girls |
1,280 |
|
St. John of Good, Kilmore Road |
640 |
|
2. Grant sanctioned contract not yet placed, for Kilmore Road C.B.S. |
720 |
3. Proposed new schools:
|
School District |
Pupil Places |
|
(a) Artane/Beaumont/High Park |
700 |
|
(b) Priorswood (Coolock) |
1,400 |
|
(c) Donaghmede (Raheny) |
1,400 |
|
(d) Darndale (Belcamp) |
1,400 |
Arising out of the Minister's reply in which there was no reference at all to the question of schools of a multi-denominational and co-educational character which were called for by the majority of parents at this meeting, will the Minister now make a specific statement on that and, also, will he say whether it is correct that the headmaster of a co-educational school in the area applied to have his school classified as a multi-denominational one in which case it would have constituted the type of school which the parents in the locality demanded? It is stated that the request was refused by the Minister. Can the Minister say on what grounds it was refused?
The Deputy is incorrect in saying that I did not refer to his first question because what he has asked was if I would "ensure that the view of the parents in the Raheny/Kilbarrack area of County Dublin ..."et cetera. I stated in my reply that the views expressed by the parents at the Kilbarrack meeting will be considered in relation to developments in that part of the area.
I would ask the Minister to answer the specific part of my question regarding the refusal of a request by the principal of a school to have his co-educational school classified as multi-denominational. It is claimed this request was refused. If that is the case will the Minister say why?
I am not aware of the particular case, not aware personally of it.
May I ask what is meant by the Minister being "aware" and "personally aware"?
The Deputy should look up the dictionary again.
Is the Minister aware that the headmaster of Sutton Park school, a well-known and respected school, made this statement? I assume he would not have made it without foundation.
I have no information on that point.
I will put down a specific question on the matter.
