asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to hold an open competition for the design of the proposed new community schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community School Design.
38.
As I stated in reply to a question in the House on 16th December, 1971, the planning and building of these schools are being dealt with as a part of a programme which involves rationalisation in planning, bulk purchasing, serial tendering et cetera, designed to effect very considerable savings in costs. This is being handled by a special project unit in my Department assisted by an appointed firm of consultants, Building Design Consultants of Cork.
Is the Minister aware that there was an article in The Irish Times two weeks ago indicating a plan for a community school? This plan was in relation to a school catering for 1,600 pupils? In his reply to the Estimate for his Department the Minister said he regarded the optimum number of students as 800. This new concept of 1,600 will surely lead to a blackboard jungle type of education.
I do not accept that at all. The plan, as I explained yesterday, is flexible and it can be adapted to various sizes of schools and so forth. If the Deputy wishes, I shall be glad to make arrangements to enable him to see the plan and discuss it with an officer of my Department.
Is the Minister aware of the concern and anxiety that exist all over the country about these community schools because there is no information available about them and would he consider having a leaflet or booklet published setting out what, in fact, community schools are?
We would want a White Paper.
I think there is no doubt that the people do know, but I am considering the whole question of comprehensive education in the light of any explanation of it which may be necessary.
Could the Minister state what the position is about the proposed trustee? Has agreement been reached on it or when will we see it?
So far as that is concerned there are some small matters yet to be cleared up before putting it into its final legal form. As soon as that is done, it will be made available.
Would the Minister not agree that this House should see it as well as the other interests before it is put into final legal form because it will decide the future pattern of Irish education?
I pointed out on an earlier occasion that there has been more than ample discussion on the question in this House.
Would the Minister not agree there has been no discussion on this trustee arrangement and no discussion on whatever provisions it may contain; from the point of view of ministerial control of finance, for example, we have not been told what the provisions are and the House has expressed no view on this and would the Minister not agree that it is important that we should have such an opportunity?
I have consulted all the relevant people in relation to this and I think there is hardly any matter which has been discussed to a greater extent in this House than the question of community schools.
The Minister's view then is that this House does not consist of relevant people. We are, in the view of the Government, apparently, irrelevant. We do not accept that and we propose to continue to press this matter.
This matter has been discussed in this House on many occasions and I do not know how the Deputy can now charge me with saying the House is irrelevant.
We have had no discussion on it and what the Minister says is incorrect.
The whole question of community schools has been discussed here on many occasions.
The question of trustee and ministerial control has not been discussed.