asked the Minister for Education the identity of the religious orders to be involved in the management of the new community school at Bayside, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bayside (Dublin) Community School.
10.
I have been informed that the religious orders to be involved in the management of the new community school at Bayside, County Dublin, are the Irish Sisters of Charity and the Irish Christian Brothers.
Is the Minister aware that the Irish Christian Brothers have only very recently closed down one secondary school they have run for some years in County Monaghan? Will the Minister explain why it is appropriate that a religious order which is closing down a school, and possibly other schools, through lack of vocations, should be invited to the very influential and powerful position of membership of the board of management in a community school in the Dublin area?
All I am aware of is that the community in that area are very anxious that the Christian Brothers be involved in that school and have so indicated to me.
Can the Minister indicate whether the formal legal invitation to the Christian Brothers comes from the community concerned or from him?
I understand that it came from the community.
Would the Minister not agree that effectively that invitation has to be transmitted through him and that he has to invite the Christian Brothers to sign the deed of trust?
The community is more than committed to having them involved in the community school.
Does the Minister not think it odd that a religious order which is closing down schools in one part of the country should be prepared to accept positions of considerable responsibility in schools in other areas?
The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in the business of making comments on their decisions about private schools.
Has the Minister any information as to whether it is within the capacity of the religious order concerned to supply candidates for teacher posts in the schools concerned?
Both orders involved will be able to fulfil the responsibilities attached to them.
A supplementary from Deputy Woods.
Arising from the Minister's reply——
It should not be Deputy Woods but the Minister for Health and Social Welfare.
Is the Minister aware that the community in that area are totally committed to a community school and have expressed that desire in the most democratic terms? Is he aware that they have requested specifically that the two orders in question should participate in the school in the interests of that community?
I am so fully aware.
Is the Minister aware that the Irish Christian Brothers, according to their own rules and regulations, may not teach in mixed schools?
The private rules of the Irish Christian Brothers is a matter for them.
Would the Minister explain why he considers it appropriate that an order should become involved in the management structure of a mixed school whose members are not allowed by their own rules to teach in mixed schools?
What I know is that the people in this area are very anxious to have this involvement and they will have it.
Would the Minister say if there is a change in policy? Obviously difficulties that have arisen in various parts of the country could be removed if the members of the Christian Brothers Order are willing to teach in mixed schools. Is there a change of policy in this respect? It would be important for the Minister.
I am not aware of what internal regulations the Christian Brothers may or may not have changed.
Would the Minister not be concerned to find out?
It is none of my business.