The House will now hear one minute statements on matters appropriate to the Minister for Education. I propose to call on Deputy Jim Higgins in respect of two matters, and Deputy Eamon Gilmore, to make one minute statements. The Deputies are entitled to one minute in respect of each matter. The Minister has five minutes to reply.
Adjournment Debate. - Education Matters.
The Senior College, Ballyfermot, provides an excellent one-year animation course dealing with all aspects of animation work. The standard is recognised by those in the TV and film world as being of top quality. The course in question is largely populated by students who did not succeed in getting into other third level institutions. Many of them come from different parts of Ireland. The cost involved in terms of maintenance and accommodation is the same as that encounterd by somebody attending Trinty College, Dublin, University College, Dublin, or any of the DITs. Yet 34,000 students attending universities, RTCs and other third level institutions enjoy a range of scholarships from higher education grants to VEC grants and European Social Funding.
I appreciate that Ballyfermot School is not an RTC or a DIT or a university but it provides what should be termed a third level qualification which deserves formal recognition as such and therefore, should be entitled to some funding, particularly ESF funding. I urge the Minister to have the matter seriously examined with a view to bringing the course in question within the scope and range of the ESF.
Last Wednesday in Dún Laoghaire District Court, District Justice Hubert Wine dealt with the case of a 15-year-old boy. The accused youngster had been remanded in custody for the previous three weeks in St. Michael's House for assessment purposes because Trinity House was unable to take him. The judge referred in anger to the fact that one year previously the Minister for Justice promised that a site for a detention centre was in place and the impression given was that the detention centre was about to go ahead. Twelve months later not a brick was in place. Recently we had a desperate mother picketing the Department of Justice because there was no place for her 15-year-old son. Tonight there are two 15-year-old girls in Mountjoy. I know these people are guilty of crimes of violence. I am not excusing their crimes. I am saying that the rotating door policy or the policy of having no door simply has to stop. Putting these people back on the streets in defeatist. There should be a detention centre for them in suitable, secure surroundings with therapeutic facilities and specially staffed to give them a second chance. Why it has not been provided to date baffles me.
The Minister is aware that certain works are required at St. Kevin's School, Sallynoggin in order to facilitate the merger of St. Kevin's Primary School and St. Kevin's Infant School. There has been a delay in carrying out the works and the parents, teachers and board of management are concerned that the work will not be done in time for the schools to merge next September. I would ask the Minister to ensure that her Department and the Office of Public Works speed up this matter to ensure that the necessary and agreed works are carried out between now and 1 September. These works were agreed initially between her and a deputation from the school and subsequently between officials of her Department and the board of management. Everybody concerned is becoming quite upset that the works have not yet been carried out. The Minister is probably aware that recently there was a protest outside the school by the parents. I would ask her to intervene to ensure that the works are carried out, thereby enabling the schools to merge next September.
I join the Deputy in praising Ballyfermot Senior College in establishing expertise in this area. Throughout the country there are 24,000 students on VPT, 65 per cent funded from Europe and 35 from national funding. Maintenance allowances would mean that the number of young people participating in courses would have to be sharply reduced. The excellence of the courses is of enormous benefit to young people and it is better to have as many courses as possible and as many participants as possible. There are no plans to allow maintenance. If one had money it would be the proper thing to do. The courses are of enormous benefit to young people. We are delighted that European funding and national funding combine to produce such excellent courses which offer job prospects. There are no immediate plans for a maintenance allowance for young people doing these courses, much as we would wish it.
I am aware of the ongoing need for a detention centre. A new residential school to house 200 young female offenders is being planned, to be located at Finglas Children's Centre. Arrangements are being made in the interim to have a portion of the former Ard Scoil Mhuire school premises at Lusk, County Dublin, refurbished to meet the current demand for places for girls. This arrangement will make a further eight places available for girls in addition to the seven places currently provided at Oberstown Girls' Centre.
Arrangements are also proceeding to refurbish the remaining facilities at Ard Scoil Mhuire to provide 36 places for boys initially. I do not know why these facilities were closed in the mid-eighties. This number will be capable of being further supplemented when the new girls' centre becomes available in Finglas and the girls' units in Ard Mhuire become vacant as a result. The refurbishment of Ard Scoil Mhuire will be completed this summer. That is the interim arrangement. The longer-term arrangement is at the planning stage. I share the unease about the matter. We are anxious that the educational facilities to be provided in those centres will be of the highest order.
The third matter was raised by Deputy Gilmore, the amalgamation of the three schools, St. Kevin's boys, St. Kevin's girls and the infants' schools at Sallynoggin. I met with a deputation on the matter. It is a very good idea that the schools should come together and share facilities. We have approved a scheme of improvements to facilitate the amalgamation. Tender documents for the project are well advanced and these will be completed at the earliest possible date when the school authorities will be informed. I expect they will have to get by-law approval and I am sure the Deputy will be following that up.
I will give them a hand.
The first stage will be the completion of the tender documents and their subsequent release to the school management; the seeking of by-law approval and the submission of the by-law approval to the Department.
The project is proceeding. Both management, parents and the Department thought initially it would be a simple project of amalgamation. It is a very good idea that the three schools are coming together and teachers, pupils and parents will benefit. We will see what we can do to help along the various stages that now remain. I am as anxious as the Deputy is to see it in motion.
Will it be in place by September?
I do not wish to commit myself like that but I will move it along as quickly as possible.
The Dáil adjourned at 11.15 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 13 March 1991.