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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1980

Vol. 324 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drogheda Schools.

342.

asked the Minister for Education (a) why St. Oliver's Community College, Rathmullen, Drogheda, and Drogheda vocational school, King Street, which are two miles apart are treated as one school by Drogheda Vocational Educational Committee; (b) why neither establishment has a full-time principal; (c) why there is a vice-principal in only one school; (d) why no caretaking staff have been allocated to St. Oliver's; (e) why a sufficient number of clerical and administrative personnel have not been appointed to enable the committee to perform their duties satisfactorily; (f) why he refused to sanction indoor physical educational facilities for St. Oliver's; and (g) why the Drogheda schools have not been treated like similar institutions elsewhere in the country.

When the new vocational school at Rathmullen had been erected, it was intended that the existing vocational school building at King Street would be closed. However, before the new school opened in September, the town of Drogheda Vocational Educational Committee, because of an anticipated increase in enrolment in the school year 1980-81, requested my Department to approve the continued use of the old school premises at King Street. This request was approved for the present school year.

The need for a permanent school at King Street as is now sought by the committee and the suitability of the premises for continued use were the subject of a local investigation by senior officers of my Department last week. As soon as their report has been considered by me, I will give my decision without delay. At that time too decisions relating to teaching and non-teaching staff will also be taken.

In the case of Drogheda vocational education committee, it has always been the normal function of the chief executive officer to carry out the duties of the post of principal of the school.

The new vocational school at Rathmullen is one of a considerable number of second level schools in respect of which applications have been received for the provision of indoor physical educational facilities. I am not in a position to state when these facilities are likely to be provided.

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