Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 8

Adjournment Debate. - Wexford Vocational School.

Mr. Howlin

It is said there are mountains to be climbed, but on this issue the people of Wexford have waited 14 years. Throughout the eighties the number of students in this school has increased and currently stands at 657. That is a situation which does not exist in every school, but it has not been recognised by the Department in relation to the facilities. There has been much toing and froing on this issue during the past few years. There is one clear issue. All the preliminary work has been done and all we await is the indication from the Minister that the allocation of funds will be made and that he will give tender approval. The tender documents could be ready within eight to 12 weeks and work could commence in 1991. All we require is the decision that the Minister recognises the problems in Wexford and will provide the money.

I will give a brief summary of conditions at this school. The accommodation being used for teaching includes eight prefabs, two cloakrooms, two former bedrooms in what was an old dwelling house, a kitchen designed in the thirties which was never modernised and six other rooms which are totally unsuitable. There are three toilets for 170 12 to 19 years old girls in the old building. There are no staff toilets and there is no school library, cloakrooms or gymnasium. There are no showers, no changing rooms, play areas, no language laboratories, no lockers for students, no vice principal's office, no lunch room, no geography room, no career guidance room. I could go on. Basic essentials are not provided in this school.

Parents think we do not care. I care and the people of Wexford care. One can blame parents or politicians who may have been too complacent over the past 14 years but there is a new determination. It seems to us in Wexford that school building funds are allocated without reason. The real need is there. I appeal to the Minister to allay the fears of Wexford tonight by giving a clear signal. If we live in a democracy the pupils of Wexford should be treated no worse than the pupils in any other town. I appeal to the Minister to give the go ahead immediately to this vital project.

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

I thank the Deputy for his spirited case in support of the Wexford vocational school. I do not mean to be in any way disparaging, but I see from the files which I examined today that absolutely no progress took place in relation to this school during the four-year period when Deputy Howlin's party were in Government.

Mr. Howlin

The Minister's party have been in Government for the past four years. Let him account for their stewardship.

Mr. F. Fahey

We have to be fair about where the blame lies. It partially lies on this side of the House but also on the other side of the House. When we establish that, we can go forward. I agree that there is an urgent need to proceed with a new facility in Wexford. I am fully aware of the condition of the existing facilities and every effort will be made to have the needs of the school met as soon as possible.

The proposal to provide a major extension at Wexford Town vocational school has reached an advanced stage of planning. However, in 1990 in common with all major building projects it became necessary to review the project in the light of declining demographic trends which had become evident throughout the country. The Deputy will appreciate that such reviews, which are a regular part of the planning process, have become increasingly important in recent years because of changing population trends. It is worth noting that the birth rate in County Wexford declined by 28 per cent in the years 1980-89. In these circumstances it is imperative that all building projects be critically examined to ensure that the need for the proposed building is fully justified by long term projections of pupil numbers. This is particularly important in multi-school centres such as Wexford.

Inevitably a review of this nature disrupts the planning process, but nevertheless it is an essential part of procedure if unnecessary waste of capital resources is to be avoided. In addition, the limited resources available require that economies be achieved where possible and therefore the costs of all capital projects are subjected to very careful scrutiny.

In the case of Wexford Town Vocational School the review of the school's requirements indicates that the provision of 550 pupil places would be adequate to meet the school's long term needs. As the project was being planned on the basis of catering for 800 pupils it is accordingly necessary to adjust the schedule of accommodation to be provided and to examine the need for changes to the plan to take account of reduced pupil numbers. This further review of the project is being conducted by my Department and is expected to be completed shortly.

The Minister has taken a very keen interest in having this review carried out as quickly as possible and she regrets not being able to be here to respond to Deputy Howlin. The Minister, following fairly sustained pressure from Deputy Cullimore and Deputy Browne and Senator Byrne——

Mr. Howlin

And Senator Doyle.

Mr. F. Fahey

And all the others as well, but those three in particular.

Mr. Allen

Please do not forget Deputies Yates and D'Arcy.

Mr. F. Fahey

The Minister is fully aware of the urgency of proceeding with the project and has agreed to meet a deputation from Wexford VEC to discuss it. She will be taking careful account of the views expressed on the question of proceeding with the project. I take note of what Deputy Howlin said. I fully appreciate the current difficulties affecting the school and I will ensure that the review is completed without undue delay.