Vol. 349 No. 2
asked the Minister for Education if a site for a new school to cater for the pupils of the vocational school and St. Joseph's College, Castlerea, has yet been approved by her Department; if Roscommon Vocational Education Committee will be given approval to proceed to seek tenders for the erection of it; when such approval will be issued; the number of pupils the school will cater for; the estimated cost thereof; and when it is expected to commence building work.
16.
asked the Minister for Education the proposal for a new vocational school in Castlerea, County Roscommon; if the site has been formally approved; if a planning application has been made to the county council; and the schedule of proposed accommodation in the new school.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
My Department have approved the purchase of a site in Castlerea for the purpose of a new school premises.
The planning of the building will need to take into account the total accommodation needs of the area, which at present are met by the vocational school and the Mercy Convent school. A rationalisation of the educational facilities needs to be considered in the context of the provision of new school premises.
It is proposed to have discussions in the near future with the school authorities concerned. In the meantime, I am not in a position to state the number of pupils for whom accommodation is to be provided in the new premises.
Why is the Minister not in a position to state the numbers? It is an amalgamation between St. Joseph's school and the vocational school. The need for accommodation is urgent, as I am sure she is aware. The accommodation in relation to this school is totally inadequate at the moment. It is spread out around the town and the pre-fabs are inadequate and coming to the end of their life. I ask the Minister to give this matter priority in her Department in regard to an allocation. I ask her if she will indicate now whether she is prepared to make an allocation for this building in the 1984-85 programme.
The Deputy is aware that the whole question of the planning for the vocational school is at a very early stage. The Department are initiating discussions on the question of rationalisation. We do not expect that those discussions will take very long and we do not expect any delay of any consequence in providing first class facilities for the pupils in the whole centre.
Will the Minister be prepared to meet a deputation from the school and the VEC to discuss this matter? I am not very satisfied with her reply there and I am concerned about the question of rationalisation. I do not like that word to be used in the context of school facilities in the town of Castlerea.
A question.
That has connotations of major changes which are planned for the future. I would like the Minister to clarify that further with a deputation which I would like to arrange to meet her in the near future.
The provision of replacement facilities for the vocational school is urgent, but I must balance this against the desirability of trying to optimise educational opportunity for the pupils in Castlerea, and this I intend to do. The discussions with the school authorities will be held by my Department as soon as possible and I would prefer to allow my Department to carry through these discussions.
The Minister is aware that the amalgamation of St. Joseph's and the vocational school was approved in 1983. In the circumstances of an approval of amalgamation, surely provision of accommodation must get priority. Taking that political decision brings with it responsibilities as far as providing adequate accommodation for both pupils and teachers in this vast growing school area of County Roscommon is concerned. I appeal to the Minister to take an opportunity in the near future of visiting the school or getting her Minister of State to come along and see at first hand the totally unacceptable standards under which the pupils and teachers are working——
A question. That is ranging into a speech.
It has been referred to as possibly the most substandard school in Ireland.
I have been patient.
It is an opportunity to convey the views of the constituents on this.
It is not an appropriate opportunity.
It is a great opportunity.
It is not an appropriate opportunity.
