asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the provision of primary and post-primary education in the Sutton area, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Education Facilities.
25.
Mr. R. Burke
My Department is in communication with the parish priest regarding a site for a new national school in the parish of Sutton. I understand that there is considerable difficulty in obtaining a suitable site in the area.
The second-level educational needs of the Sutton area are at present catered for by three schools in the area as well as by a number of schools in nearby areas. In addition, the new community school in Kilbarrack which is scheduled to open in September, 1975, will serve the needs of the Bayside area of Sutton as well as the Kilbarrack area.
In regard to primary education, the Minister stated a site was being sought for a new national school. My information is that there is not in fact, any Catholic national school in the parish of Sutton. Would the Minister confirm it? There is a Protestant national school which has been taking Catholic children but it is now becoming overcrowded and is obliged to restrict entry to Protestants. Would the Minister confirm that that is true?
Mr. R. Burke
That is as I understand the situation. The Christian Brothers' School in Sutton have a junior school and I understand that that is now being closed, which adds to the difficulty in the area.
But that is not a national school.
Mr. R. Burke
It is not a national school as such but the children must be taught somewhere. The problem, as everybody knows, is the difficulty of finding a suitable site in the area. I understand the manager is continuing his efforts to find a suitable site.
In that connection, could I ask the Minister if he has given consideration to the question of providing either the total amount or a very substantial proportion of the cost of sites in areas such as Sutton? There are other areas where the cost is absolutely prohibitive, as compared with other parts of the county where sites are available free or for virtually nothing.
Mr. R. Burke
I have considered the desirability of doing this but the present economic climate is not one in which money is readily available for these desirable new departures and at this point I cannot offer any help in that regard.
In view of the very serious situation that already exists and the prospect that it will become far more serious, would the Minister accept that being in consultation with the parish priest in regard to the provision of a site may not be sufficient activity on his part to meet the crisis which is developing?
Mr. R. Burke
As the Deputy knows, the initiative for the foundation of these schools comes from the local interest. I take it that there is no suggestion that the parish priest is not interested, because I know him to be interested.
So do I.
Mr. R. Burke
When a proposition is put to us we will treat it with urgency.
Surely the Minister accepts a responsibility in a situation in which the parish priest may find it impossible to provide a site? The Minister must accept some responsibility in finding a solution for this very acute problem. We cannot simply hand it over to the parish priest and say: "You work it out and then come to me with your solution."
Mr. R. Burke
I agree with the Deputy that if the matter were presented to me as being impossible, then I would have to act, but it is only at the stage of being difficult at the moment.
Is the present provision in the Sutton area, in regard to Howth primary education, not one of considerable difficulty and likely to become impossible in the near future, having regard to the growth in the numbers and also to the fact that one of the teaching orders has indicated its intention to withdraw?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy is referring to an indication by the Christian Brothers at St. Fintan's of their intention to withdraw, I understand that that is from the primary section of their operations. There are places for extra boys in that school. There is also the Kilbarrack Community School which will be opening in 1975 for 800 boys and girls. There are also St. Dominic's High School, Sutton, for girls and Sutton Park School for boys and girls. It would seem that while the population is growing very rapidly there at the moment there are sufficient places now and in September for the students.
How far ahead does the Minister think that the requirements will be met?
Mr. R. Burke
If we open a school for 800 pupils in September that should look after the matter for another year at least. Perhaps the Deputy will renew his question later.