The House will now hear two two minute statements on matters appropriate to the Minister for Education. I now call on Deputy Connor to make his statement.
Adjournment Debate. - Education Matters.
In Castlerea, County Roscommon, secondary education is delivered on two campuses, in the old vocational school and in the Convent of Mercy secondary school. The buildings in both schools are in an appalling condition. In all, 13 buildings are involved, three of which have been deemed unsafe for any type of activity and unfit for habitation.
A campaign for a new community school started back in the eighties and agreement was reached between the various parties in 1986 that a community college would be established in the town. The then Minister for Education agreed in principle to this, however no action was taken on it until I tabled a question in 1989 which activated the Minister for Education, who later met with a deputation from the town. In February 1990 the Minister wrote to the principal of the convent school informing her that the community college would proceed in 1990. However, in May 1990 the Minister again wrote to the principal saying that plans for the school accommodation were being revised and in June of the same year, after much protest, a compromise was reached. It was then expected that the Department would proceed with the plans. But there was almost another year and a half of inactivity, and the Department were hardly in communication with the school until late 1991. The Department informed the principal that they were proceeding with the school and that the plans would be submitted for tender. It emerged that the contractor who was chosen to carry out the works was inadequate for some reason and the Department would then have to examine the second lowest tender. I understand that is taking place.
Classes cannot function in this school for another year in present conditions. The roof is leaking, all the classrooms are damp and three of them have been condemned as unfit for any use. We want funds to commence building of the new school.
A community school has been approved for Castlerea, County Roscommon to replace the existing vocational school and the Convent of Mercy. Following a site feasibility study it was decided that the new school should be developed by means of the provision of a new building comprising approximately 2,000m2, and it is also proposed to carry out upgrading work to the existing building. The school has been planned to cater for 500 pupils in the long term.
Tenders were invited for this project in July 1991 and these tenders are currently being examined by my Department's design team and a preliminary tender report is expected to be submitted shortly to the Department for examination. Progress on submission of the preliminary tender report has not proceeded as quickly as might have been desired as difficulties arose in determining the capacity of the lowest tenderer for the main contract to undertake the project. As he was unable to comply with all conditions of the contract the lowest tenderer subsequently withdrew from the project.
My Department have recently conveyed approval to the design team to proceed with the examination of the next lowest tender and as I have previously stated it is expected that the preliminary tender report will be submitted shortly. My Department have also reached agreement with the Sisters of Mercy in Castlerea regarding the purchase of the site and the legal formalities are now in the process of being finalised.
I can therefore confirm to the Deputy that I fully recognise and accept the pressing need for the earliest possible commencement of construction of the new community school in Castlerea as soon as circumstances allow.
At dtus, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Oideachais úr. Tá áthas orm é a fheiceáil anseo, agus guím gach rath ar in a oifig nua.
The conditions in Laghey national school must be the most primitive in County Donegal, if not in Ireland. The present school accommodation consists of four classrooms, three which are of a permanent nature and one second-hand pre-fabricated hut that was purchased and erected in the school yard in 1969, 22 years ago. Though the pre-fabricated classroom has been reconstructed many times since then and has had a new roof, side walls and doors, it is today in a hopeless state of disrepair. It is impossible to keep it adequately heated during the winter and is musty and suffocating during the summer.
The three permanent classrooms are small, cramped and completely unsuitable for present day curriculum purposes and pupil centred teaching methods. The classrooms are heated by open turf and coal burning fires which often result in a smokey, smutty and dull atmosphere, not at all conducive to teaching or learning. There are no other essential facilities, such as an assembly area, a teachers' room, a medical room or a library and the sanitary facilities are hopelessly out of date.
The management, teachers and parents of Laghey national school have shown remarkable patience and tolerance at the manner in which they have been treated these last 20 years. However, at this stage it is understandable that their patience is under severe strain. They have been led up the garden path so often during that time, only to be met with disappointment and frustration.
The present position is that the extension went to tender last spring but since then little or no progress has been achieved. I am urging the Minister today to have the Laghey national school extension immediately approved and have the contractor appointed so that work can commence on this much-needed and long-awaited extension.
Much progress has been achieved in the provision and improvement of primary school facilities in Donegal these last ten years. However, that progress will remain besmirched if we are left with the scandalous neglect of Laghey, its school and its pupils.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht comhghairdeas a dhéanamh liom.
I am glad that the Deputy has given me the opportunity of outlining the position regarding the proposed extension to Laghey national school. I fully accept that conditions in the school are unsatisfactory and that the provision of the extension is an urgent matter.
The building project for the school consists of an extension of two classrooms and the conversion of the existing three classrooms to two classrooms. The present position is that tenders for the project have been received and have been examined. The question of the placing of a contract will arise for consideration in the context of the 1992 capital allocation for primary school buildings. As the Deputy knows, we are at present deciding on those issues.