Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Rathkeale (Limerick) Community School Project.

Mr. Finucane

I wish to thank you very sincerely, a Cheann Comhairle, for agreeing to have this matter discussed before the House this evening and I thank the Minister also for attending. A decision was taken in 1983 by the then Minister, Gemma Hussey, approving the establishment of a community school in Rathkeale, amalgamating the two existing post primary schools, the vocational school and the Convent of Mercy secondary school.

In March 1988 a draft plan was submitted to the Department of Education. They did not progress the issue but sat on it for about a year. It was resubmitted in January 1990 but since then there has been no further progress. It is imperative that the Minister moves with great haste to build a community school in Rathkeale. The Convent of Mercy started their secondary school in the early sixties to cope with the expansion in numbers. They had plans drawn up in 1967 to build a new secondary school but the Department of Education requested them not to proceed as they had major plans for the area. The deposit had even been paid to the builder on that occasion and was returned to them. As a result of this school not proceeding, the Convent of Mercy secondary school, since 1970, became a grouping of eight different prefabricated buildings which are now antiquated and totally inadequate for providing a proper educational environment for the pupils. It is a tribute to the teachers that they have managed to build up the number of pupils to over 300. It is also a tribute to the pupils and their parents for continuing to use this educational establishment despite the difficult circumstances that prevail.

Agreement was reached as far back as 1983 for the community school, with the co-operation of the local vocational school and the Convent of Mercy. The site adjoins the Rathkeale vocational school and covers 6.25 acres. In June 1988 Deputy Gerard Collins, Minister for Foreign Affairs, introduced a deputation to the Minister for Education, Deputy O'Rourke. This deputation was assured that Rathkeale was one of the five schools with priority after the schools being built under the design, build and construct concept. The Rathkeale community school would satisfy the main criteria because it serves a catchment area and would amalgamate the secondary and vocational schools in the area.

The Rathkeale vocational school was established in 1962 and is a modern facility, with over 175 pupils. It is a most respected educational establishment with a very good track record. It is important to harness the enthusiasm of both schools for a community school which would offer a wide-ranging number of subjects. It is now time for action as there has been enough procrastinations and false promises on this issue. The pupils of the Rathkeale area need a community school now and the Minister has the responsibility and the power to deliver it.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. F. Fahey)

First I would like to thank the Deputy for his very reasoned and effective case in connection with what I accept has been a long running saga. However, it is important that I give the background to this project. In 1983 the Sisters of Mercy in Rathkeale informed my Department that they were unable to go ahead with the building of a permanent secondary school. They indicated that they would, however, be prepared to participate in the development of a community school. The VEC voted in favour of the concept of a community school. Subsequently the then Minister authorised the provision of such a school for Rathkeale to replace the secondary and vocational schools.

The schedule of accommodation was agreed by the school authorities. A site was acquired, a design team was appointed and architectural planning commenced. This planning has now reached stage 2 — the outline sketch scheme — of my Department's design team procedures. However, in common with all such school buildings projects, the Rathkeale project is being reviewed in the context of demographic trends and projected pupil enrolments for both the short and long term. The project was originally planned to cater for 500 pupils. Current enrolment in the centre is 452. The Deputy will be aware of the declining demographic pattern in every county, which has made it essential to review each project very carefully.

In County Limerick the annual birth rate from 1980 to 1988 decreased by a staggering 21 per cent and this decline is continuing. When the aforementioned review is completed and the pupil numbers to be catered for in the long term established, it will be necessary to prepare a new schedule of accommodation. This in turn will necessitate some alterations to the plan and design of the project by the design team. It will be appreciated therefore that any changes required will arise from a careful reassessment of the future requirements. I am satisfied that the new school, when completed, will meet the needs of the community for the foreseeable future. A full range of facilities will be available for the course to be conducted and for the number of pupils who will enrol there. I want to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to proceed with the reassessment procedure that is now in place.

As the Deputy mentioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Collins, I want to inform him that he is continually in touch with my office, the Minister and myself to try to advance this project as quickly as possible. As the Deputy has said, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Collins, has been assured that the project has a very high priority. The Deputy will appreciate — I accept that he does from the comments he made — that we must ensure we plan carefuly for the projected pupil numbers for this school and that we do not make proposals which will not be required when one takes into account the pupil-teacher ratio.

I would like to say that every effort will be made to have all our reviews completed as quickly as possible and to proceed without any further delay with the planning process. I thank the Deputy for the interest he has taken. I am sure the Deputy, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Collins, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Noonan, will continue to make the case and we in the Department will attempt to respond as quickly as we can.

The Dáil adjourned at 8.55 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 30 May 1990.