Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Dublin School Accommodation.

Mr. Gregory:

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise on the Adjournment the conditions in which children at the Central Model School, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, are being educated. I should say at the outset that I am particularly disappointed that the Minister is not present in the House to reply because she has been personally involved in this case and has a direct and special responsibility to the school. However, I am sure she has other business to attend to.

For almost nine years this school has been accommodated in prefabricated buildings, ironically in the grounds of the Department of Education a few yards from the Minister's own offices. I am sure the Minister would accept that she has a direct and special responsibility to the school since, by tradition, she is the patron and, effectively, the manager of the school, thus the term "model school." It follows therefore that the conditions the children and teachers have to endure must be a cause of considerable embarrassment to her and her Department.

Most of the prefabricated buildings have been in place since the school building was badly damaged by fire almost nine years ago and they are deteriorating at an alarming rate. They constantly let in the rain with the result that there is severe dampness. This must surely be a concern about the children's health. The roofs are patched constantly but by now they must be beyond their useful life span. Their unattractive, shabby and decrepit appearance is an insult to the teachers, children and their parents who have during the years shown great allegiance to and support for the school despite these deplorable conditions.

There are approximately 250 children accommodated in these prefabricated buildings. Amazingly, pupil numbers this year are the best in almost a decade and all the indications are that these high numbers will be maintained despite the dramatic decline in other schools in the city. In part, this is a tribute to the dedicated staff and proud parents who have persevered during the years. Indeed, the Minister has met many of the parents and staff and is well aware of their concern and commitment. There have been several meetings with the Minister, one of which I and other Deputies for the area attended. Each meeting brings new hope but regrettably and, inevitably, this is followed rapidly by new disappointments. The culmination of several meetings with the Minister was a written commitment of sorts which was sent to the parents' committee and their Dáil representatives. I have a copy of that letter in front of me which is dated 25 May 1990 and it was signed by the Minister, Deputy O'Rourke. It contains the following information:

I am pleased to tell you that I have now decided that the planning for the building project for the Model School, Marlborough Street, will now proceed. I know you will be pleased with this news.

I was pleased with the news but that was a year ago and precious little has happened since. I now feel that I was misled by the Minister. Since then the board of management have been shown what was for them a second set of plans in 18 months for the same school building but there still has been no news of tenders being invited or of a commencement date. Surely, the parents and staff have a right to know how long more their children will have to endure shabby, unhealthy and unacceptable conditions in the grounds of the Department of Education.

This was and is one of the most popular schools in what has for long been regarded as an educationally disadvantaged area, the north inner city. The Programme for Economic and Social Progress stated that particular attention must be paid to children suffering educational and social disadvantage. The programme gave a commitment that resources would be targeted to assist the disadvantaged in availing of the various educational and training services. It specifically committed itself at primary level.

The recent study commissioned by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul confirmed the north inner city to be the most disadvantaged community in the Republic.

An Ceann Comhairle:

I would be grateful if the Deputy would now bring his remarks to a close.

Mr. Gregory:

When will this area be targeted to receive resources? Adjacent to the Central Model School there is a very large derelict site where there was a sign stating "Reserved for North Inner City Community College". It was put up ten years ago and the site is still lying derelict. Where does this leave the children of the north inner city? Is it any wonder that the area has massive social problems? May I, finally, ask the Minister of State to tell us when the Model School will be rebuilt: this year or next? Will he be blunt and state if he wants to kill the school because official neglect and disinterest is slowing strangling it?

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

I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity to outline my intentions in relation to the reconstruction and refurbishment of the Model Schools premises at Deverill Place. The Deputy has outlined the history of these schools but it would be useful to go back over some of the details.

May I first respond to his criticism that the Minister is not present by apologising for her absence. The Minister is in County Carlow tonight fulfilling a prior commitment.

These schools, junior and senior English speaking, have an enrolment of 242 pupils and a staff of two principals plus ten assistants including a remedial teacher and a number of concessionary posts. The schools have of necessity been accommodated in prefabricated classrooms for a number of years. A fire severely damaged the Deverill Place building in 1982. Last year the entire accommodation for the junior school was destroyed in a fire which necessitated the provision of new prefabricated classrooms. I fully accept that it is unsatisfactory that a school should be accommodated in prefabricated buildings for a long time. I am of course very familiar with the day to day problems of the school as I have had a number of meetings with the school authorities. I should also say that the Minister has had several meetings, as the Deputy pointed out, with the school authorities and teachers and has had ongoing discussions with the parents' representatives. Naturally, both the Minister and I have knowledge of the condition of the premises.

As the Deputy will be aware, approval has been given for the reconstruction and refurbishment of the Deverill Place building as a permanent facility for both schools. It is my intention that the building works be put in hands at the earliest possible date. I fully accept that the architectural planning and associated technicalities have taken longer than we genuinely anticipated but this a complex job involving a building dating from the last century with special features and stonework. It has been necessary to engage experts to ensure that the school is restored to the highest architectural traditions and standards.

The latest position on the planning is that the detailed drawings, both structural and architectual, are well advanced and discussions are at present taking place with a quantity surveyor in private practice who is putting his bills of quantities into place. I am fully aware of the concerns of all involved with the school that the building works be commenced as a matter of urgency. I will ensure therefore that the remaining tender documents will be completed with the minimum delay. The Deputy will appreciate the importance of ensuring that these documents are fully in order in every detail having regard to the historical, educational and cultural importance of the project and the capital cost involved.

I appreciate the concerns of Deputy Gregory who has been in touch with the Department about the matter and who has raised it in the Dáil on a number of occasions. We are aware of his interest in getting the project off the ground. I should also say that the Minister for Labour, Deputy Ahern, has constantly been in touch with both the Minister and I to try to secure progress in the school, as indeed has Deputy Stafford.

When the tender documents have been completed the matter will be given the most urgent attention. The Minister will communicate with the school authorities and all other interested parties at that point to indicate the final stages of the completion of planning and commencement of construction.