Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Feb 1991

Vol. 405 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Education Matters.

Mr. Flanagan

The future of second level education in Portlaoise is most uncertain, and parents, teachers and, most importantly, children fear for their future needs. Concern in the town is rapidly turning to anger and distress. The Presentation Convent, Christian Brothers' school and vocational school have contributed in a huge way to the education and welfare of children throughout the entire county of Laois for generations. There is no doubt that all these first-class institutions are in need of refurbishment, expansion and significant modernisation, and the manner of these improvements is crucial.

The Minister is attempting to wash her hands of the matter by cleverly kicking for touch and saying the decision-making process is in the hands of the local community. The Minister has chosen to ignore that her precondition in the source of the problem, namely, one school for Portlaoise. I ask the Minister if one school, one building is suitable for up to 1,300 young people. I am not asking if it is acceptable, workable or financially viable, but if it is in the best interests of the children. There can be no further progress at local level until the Minister intervenes. Without ministerial action hundreds of children will suffer. The scenario as proposed by the Minister is most undesirable. I contend that the welfare of our children must be the primary responsibility of any Minister for Education, and the decision on Portlaoise cannot be delayed any longer.

Mrs. O'Rourke

I will have something to say to the Deputy.

Mr. Nealon

The school involved in my statement is Rathcormac national school, which has 352 pupils. Like most other areas in County Sligo this school catchment area is, happily, one of a growing population. This however has resulted in serious overcrowding in classes. The school in Rathcormac has now reached the position where two classes, sixth and senior infants, have over 40 pupils and the remainder, with two exceptions, have over 35 pupils. The position is not amenable to any further redistribution of pupils, as two of the classes are taught in the old school which is half a mile from the new school and which has very small classrooms. The appointment of an extra teacher or a remedial teacher to which the school is entitled would solve the problem. I would ask the Minister to sanction one or the other for this very progressive school on merit, not to mention the fact that her mother attended that school.

Mrs. O'Rourke

For an exercise in hypocrisy and humbug, Deputy Flanagan's contribution to this debate on the great necessity for a school in Portlaoise is amazing.

Mr. Flanagan

Outrageous.

Mrs. O'Rourke

Outrageous and amazing. As you know there have been intense discussions on this matter. It is a tenet of all educational planning that decisions are not left to people, they come up from local level where everybody's interests are protected. What is wrong with you is you do not know which horse to back or what way to jump.

Mr. Flanagan

Outrageous.

Mrs. O'Rourke

It is quite true. You are playing politics with an extremely serious matter.

Mr. Flanagan

Not true.

Mrs. O'Rourke

You know quite well——

Mr. Flanagan

If the Minister has nothing better to say at 5.30 p.m. in reply to a justified question, it is a disgrace.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We would not be given a medal for discussing the affairs of education in this fashion. If the Minister is allowed to reply, and if she addresses the Chair, Deputy Flanagan will have to endure what she has to say.

Mrs. O'Rourke

Precisely, I endured what the Deputy has to say. The current enrolment in the three post-primary schools is 1,100 plus and not 1,300 plus. The births are 28 per cent down, as they are down everywhere. We plan schools not only for the present pupils but for the children of the future, and one school is the desired answer in the case. I have received a letter from Ronan Rice, Máire Twohig and Connie Horgan, representing the three boards of management, and I have in turn replied and invited them to an early meeting. The Deputy knows that, and that is why he is jumping. I hope when decisions are taken, be they locally or nationally, Deputy Flanagan will support the wish of the pupils and parents——

Mr. Flanagan

The children.

Mrs. O'Rourke

——which is for the provision of a proper, major school embracing both the vocational and voluntary sectors. That is the answer for Portlaoise, not party political scoring.

To reply to Deputy Nealon with regard to Rathcormac, indeed I know that school. It is a lovely school which is very well run and maintained. It has a fine teaching cohort who have a great commitment to their pupils. As the Deputy knows, the agreement under the last programme was accepted by the unions and the social partners. Rathcormac school has now made an application for a remedial teacher, as the Deputy mentioned. The allocation of the extra teachers as provided for in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress is being made and the remedial teachers will be appointed on the basis of inspector's reports.

Rathcormac school has made a very extensive submission and has written a personal letter to me, which I have passed on to the inspectorate. Requests have been made by various schools and they will be considered together with the request from Rathcormac. Following the Deputy's presentation here today I will have the case further reviewed and will be in touch personally with him.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.35 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 February 1991.