Vol. 395 No. 1
16 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education, having regard to the fact that at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath, there are 615 pupils, a grave shortage of classroom space and only one science laboratory, when the next stage of the building programme will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Documentation in relation to the developed sketch scheme stage of the proposed prefab-masonry type building was submitted to the Building Unit of my Department in 1989. Following technical examination of this submission the school manager was informed in August 1989 that the submission did not conform to the Department's guidelines for grant-aid purposes. Revised proposals have since been received and are currently undergoing technical examination in the Department.
In common with other building proposals currently under review, this case will require to be re-evaluated with regard to the present and future demographic trends in the area vis-à-vis the number of pupil places available.
Last Saturday I had a meeting with the principal and vice-principal of the school and I have arranged for further consultations between the school authorities and my Department. This meeting will be held within the next two weeks.
Would the Minister not agree that the non-provision of this laboratory reflects the Minister's lack of commitment to science in secondary schools generally throughout the country?
Not at all. The school is a very fine building with a very fine laboratory. I wish every school in the land had two science laboratories but it is just not possible. The proposal which the school authorities have put forward and which they put to me at my home last week — indeed we had a very nice interlude——
Did you give them tea?
Yes. The proposal is now being further considered in my Department.
Would the Minister clarify the situation? There are 615 pupils in the school——
Questions, please.
There is one science laboratory.
The Deputy is persisting in giving information rather than in seeking information.
Would the Minister not agree that the real problem has been that since she was appointed she has reduced the capital expenditure on education by 50 per cent below what it was in 1986? Is that not the real problem?
Not at all. The real problem is that the Deputy has asked questions about Rochfortbridge and Killucan and he has also written letters about Mullingar, from where the pupils are going to Rochfortbridge. I ask Deputies not to meddle in my bailiwick.
In view of the Minister's answer in which she indicated what facilities she gives to the management of a school in her own constituency, will she give an undertaking to afford the same facility to the management of the school which is the subject of Question No. 23?
Everybody is welcome to my home on a Saturday.
I hesitate to interrupt this conversation but am I in order in drawing to the attention of the Minister for Education the fate of the Ceaucescu family?
We will deal with Question No. 17.
I am speaking about democracy.
Oh, Vladimir.
I wish to make it clear that my bailiwick is my home and my home will always be my bailiwick. I hope that Deputy Quinn will not intrude on my right in that respect.
Hear, hear.
Deputy Quinn will be welcome in my home any Saturday.
