Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 1990

Vol. 395 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dublin Community School.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

43 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to eliminate the present accommodation crisis which exists in St. Kevin's Community College at its current temporary premises in Lucan, Dublin 22, part of which is at present being forcibly taken over by a developer.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

155 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education her views on whether an immediate decision is necessary regarding the construction of a permanent building on a site adjacent to its catchment area for St. Kevin's Community School, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, at present temporarily housed in the old Vocational School, Lucan, County Dublin; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the lease on part of the temporary site at Lucan on which five temporary classrooms are situated expires on 31 January 1990; that bulldozers have already moved in and have moved all the fencing surrounding the temporary classrooms in preparation for a major private construction development and necessitating the suspension of all first year classes; the total number of pupils enrolled at the school; the projections for September, 1990; if, in view of these figures, she will announce her decision as to the future accommodation for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 155 together.

I am of course aware of the current position regarding St. Kevin's Community College, Clondalkin, and have had many meetings and discussed the matter with interested parties and with representatives of the parents.

I am equally aware that the former vocational school in Lucan in which the school is temporarily housed will be inadequate to cater for the needs of St. Kevin's Community College in the long term. Accordingly, I am glad to state that I have decided to sanction the purchase of a site on the Fonthill Road, north Clondalkin from Dublin Corporation in order to provide a permanent school building for St. Kevin's Community College. I have personally got in touch with the Assistant City Manager concerning the purchase of the site.

There are at present 270 pupils in St. Kevin's Community College and my Department projects an enrolment of 360 in September 1990. It is my intention that these pupils be provided for in temporary accommodation on the site in question pending completion of a permanent school building.

With regard to the current school year I am aware that the lease on part of the site adjacent to the old vocational school, Lucan, rented by the County Dublin VEC expires on 31 January, 1990. However, I have been assured by County Dublin VEC that adequate provision of facilities will be made for the pupils and teachers of St. Kevin's Community College from now until the end of the current school year.

It is envisaged that permanent accommodation for 400 pupils will be provided on the Fonthill Road site with additional temporary accommodation provided as required to cater for the anticipated peaking of enrolments in this school later in the decade.

I am confident that my decision in this matter will meet the needs of St. Kevin's pupils and provide them with the best possible post-primary facilities for the future.