Vol. 268 No. 5
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, because of the inadequacy of the buildings and the lack of proper amenities, facilities and equipment, the 900 pupils attending St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin, are being deprived of a proper education and upbringing; and if he will state the action he proposes to take about this serious injustice to the families concerned.
48.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that St. Benedict's senior primary school, Raheny, which is a co-educational school catering for over 900 pupils, has not been completed in accordance with the original specifications, that the link passageways have not been enclosed, that the school is cold and draughty, that the site has not been enclosed as planned and that, as a result, no environmental work is possible, security is a major problem and vandalism and destruction are constantly occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
49.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that no general purpose rooms have been provided in St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin, and if he will arrange to have their provision put in hand immediately.
50.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that no outdoor playground shelter of any sort has been provided at St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin, and that this neglect causes serious dislocation in the running of the school; and if he will arrange to have it remedied as soon as possible.
51.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the fact that the toilet facilities in St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin, are completely inadequate and unsuitable; and if he will arrange to have this situation remedied immediately.
52.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange to have suitable accommodation for remedial classes provided in St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin.
53.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange to have the playing field attached to St. Benedict's senior primary co-educational school, Raheny, Dublin, put in a proper condition for use as such by the children of the school.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 53 together.
St. Benedict's national school, Grange Park, Raheny, is a new school, the erection of which was completed, to the present stage, in 1972. Sanction has now been given for the extension of the school by the addition of a large general purposes room. The Commissioners of Public Works, as my architectural advisers on national school buildings, have been asked for a report on the allegations that the building was not completed in accordance with specifications and on the other suggestions that the building and its surroundings are unsatisfactory in their present state. When this report is received, such action as may be considered appropriate will be taken.
As to the provision of play shelters, it is not the practice to provide grants towards the cost of such amenities at schools in which general purposes rooms are provided. I do not accept the implication that the absence of play shelters must necessarily cause serious dislocation in the running of a school. Many large schools without such amenities are conducted quite efficiently.
Grants from national school building funds are not made in respect of the cost of putting into suitable condition playfields adjoining schools, and I regret that I cannot make an exception in the case of this particular school. The case of laying down an adequate area of play space in tarmacadam or concrete has been included in the overall figure of cost on which the grant for this school was based.
Deputy Haughey asked specific questions which the Minister has passed over in a very general way. Did I understand him to say that he would not provide playing fields? If these are not provided by the Department where are they to come from?
I am not responsible for their provision and I have no funds at my disposal for this purpose.
Therefore, they would have to be provided out of contributions made by the parents to the school manager?
I take it that the manager in the local parish would be responsible.
Would the Minister accept responsibility in respect of toilet facilities, a matter that is referred to specifically in Question No. 75?
The question of the need for outside toilets was brought to the attention of the Department only during this month. The Office of Public Works will be asked to investigate the matter.
How long is this investigation likely to take and how soon should Deputy Haughey repeat the question?
As the previous occupant of the august office of public works, the Deputy should know better than I the answer to that?
It depends on the interest taken by the Parliamentary Secretary in whatever problem is involved. Is the Minister telling us also that he will not accept responsibility for an outdoor playing ground at the school?
My reply did not convey that impression. I said that it is not the practice to provide grants towards the cost of such amenities at schools in which general purpose rooms are provided. As a matter of interest, the Deputy will be glad to hear that I took a personal interest in ensuring that the square footage in this school in respect of the general purposes room was increased from 1,200 to 2,400 square.
One further question——
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude in this matter.
Seven questions were answered together. What is the position with regard to remedial classes?
The position in this regard is that there are none at present and that none have been sanctioned but should the manager apply for such facilities, the matter would be given the fullest consideration.
