asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the provision of a sports hall for the new community school, Malahide, County Dublin, to be constructed at the same time as the school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Sports Halls.
22.
Mr. R. Burke
The cost of building sports halls in connection with new secondary schools has escalated so much that building could proceed only by effecting cutbacks in more pressing works. Consequently, I have had research carried out to secure alternative designs which would be accepted both functionally and economically. I hope to have the results of this research in the near future and then I will take a decision on the provision of sports halls generally. A decision in relation to the provision of a sports hall for the Malahide Community School will be taken in this context.
Is the Minister aware of the information given by officials of his Department to a deputation of which I was a member— seeing that I am a member of the board of the school—which information was that a decision in regard to the construction of the hall would be given immediately after this Christmas?
Mr. R. Burke
It was intended that a sports hall similar in design and size to the sports halls provided with other existing community schools would be provided at Malahide and that the hall would be constructed simultaneously with the school building. However, as tenders for this type of hall were coming in at £160,000, which is twice the cost of the halls included in the earlier programme of community schools, it was necessary to find an alternative design which would be acceptable both functionally and economically. When I get the further information I will make a decision, as I have already said.
Is the Minister seriously suggesting that the community school in Malahide capable of handling 800 pupils is to open without a sports hall or gym of any sort? Is he aware of the decision of the board, supported by the people of Malahide, not to proceed with the community school until a firm decision is made in regard to the construction of the sports hall? In view of this, would he not speed up a decision on the matter?
Mr. R. Burke
I am having the matter investigated and when the price is regarded as suitable we will make a decision.
One final supplementary—as the school is to open in December, 1976, and as the architect has been appointed and various surveys are now being carried out, is the Minister not aware of the importance of a speedy decision on this matter? Otherwise construction of the school cannot go ahead?
Mr. R. Burke
I cannot give the Deputy any satisfaction in advance of my decision, which will be made in the very near future.
Is it still the policy of the Department of Education to involve the local community, the extra-school community, in the amenities of community schools?
Mr. R. Burke
That is a very large question. If the Deputy would be specific—what specific section of the community and in what respect?
I will do that exactly. If there is a sports hall, does the Minister envisage it being used by the adult community in the area, as was the policy of the Department for swimming pools and other amenities at community schools?
Mr. R. Burke
It is a matter for the boards of the schools in these various places to decide the use of the buildings in question and I imagine that they would accept any reasonable proposition.
But it is Departmental policy still?
Mr. R. Burke
It is our policy that the community should benefit to the greatest degree possible from community facilities consonant with the proper use of the school as a school building.
Give us our hall in Malahide and we will see that the community will have the use of it.
23.
asked the Minister for Education if he indicated that work would commence in August, 1974, on the erection of a sports hall on the campus of the Galway Regional Technical College; and when it is now expected that this work will commence.
Mr. R. Burke
No indication was given that work would commence on the erection of a sports hall at Galway Regional Technical College in 1975. As I have explained in reply to the last question, it has been necessary because of escalating costs to have research carried out to secure alternative designs for sports halls which would be acceptable functionally and economically. I hope to have the results in the near future and a decision on the provision of a sports hall in Galway and elsewhere will be taken as soon as possible thereafter.
Is the Minister aware that I have been informed by Galway Vocational Education Committee that "it is now over a year since the Minister promised that work would commence on the erection of this sports hall in August, 1974"? Is the Minister saying that no such promise was ever given?
Mr. R. Burke
That is what I have said. No indication was given that work would commence on the erection of a sports hall at Galway Regional Technical College in 1975.
Were any promises given to the VEC in Galway or to the board of the regional college in relation to the provision of this sports hall?
Mr. R. Burke
The former Minister informed the Galway Education Committee on 25th January, 1973, that "In determining the projects to be financed by his Department in the coming financial year, he is prepared to give priority to this project and he would hope that it could be put in hands during that year". The minutes of the September, 1973, meeting of the board of management quote the chief executive officer as stating "that the Department had indicated that the construction of the sports hall would commence in September, 1973". No such undertaking was ever given by the present Minister or by an officer of my Department. The CEO was so advised by an officer of the building unit during a telephone conversation, but we are not aware that the erroneous statement has ever been withdrawn.
There was a change of Government.
Mr. R. Burke
It was not a question of a change of Government.
Is the Minister aware of the dissatisfaction of the students attending the regional technical college at the lack of such facilities, which they were led to believe would be provided? Is he aware that the students, in order to emphasise their dissatisfaction, actually went on a demonstration some time last year and following that——
A brief question, please, Deputy.
——promises were made by the Department? It seems the Minister is now inviting agitation from the students again to get this building started.
Mr. R. Burke
The decision not to go ahead with the sports hall was taken by the former Government in the light of the scarcity of capital. With the wisdom of hindsight, it was an unfortunate decision because it would have been much cheaper to have built it then rather than now.
Did the Minister not say that in January, 1973, the decision to build was taken? Did the Minister not say that when he was reading his reply?
Mr. R. Burke
I said that "In determining the projects to be financed by his Department"—these are my predecessor's words—"in the coming financial year, he is prepared to give priority to this project and he would hope that it could be put in hands during that year."
Was that in January, 1973?
Mr. R. Burke
Yes.
And later when the present Minister was in office, he decided that it would not be built?
Mr. R. Burke
No, the decision was not necessary.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that the students and teaching staff at the college can forget about the construction of this sports hall because the Minister is not going to provide the money, will not give the go-ahead and is retracting on certain promises made in the past?
The Deputy is now embarking on a further speech. I shall have to call the next question.
There are very few sporting facilities available there for the students and surely the Minister cannot agree that this is good. There is a very big student population here.
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy has given wrong information to the House, because the former Minister's information from the town of Galway VEC is that the architect was ill— it was the illness of a private architect which caused the delay—and by the time acceptable plans were received the cost had escalated, as I said earlier. When the new design is forthcoming at a reasonable price I will be in a position to give a definite undertaking as distinct from the indefinite one given by my predecessor.