Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 9

Written Answers. - Dublin City Primary Schools.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

99 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, he has to enable the effective and efficient utilisation of empty primary class room spaces in the Dublin city area, which have been paid for by the taxpayer; the action, if any, he proposes to take to facilitate the rationalisation of inner city primary schools and to encourage the close co-operation between primary schools of different denominations in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

My Department keep under constant review the matter of the accommodation requirements of national schools generally and particularly the situation in schools with increasing or declining pupil populations.

A policy of amalgamating smaller schools into larger school units has been pursued by my Department for many years.

In considering applications from any schools or areas for new, extended or improved accommodation, regard is had to the accommodation situation, actual and projected, within reasonable access of the particular school or area.

My Department are open and receptive to proposals from boards of management for the rationalisation of school facilities and for co-operation arrangements between schools. The initiative in that respect would, however, normally rest with the individual school authorities.

The Deputy will appreciate that national schools are not State schools but operate under the control of local boards of management. Trustees hold the school premises under a standard form of lease and undertake to conduct a national school thereon. State grants represent only part of the cost of providing the building and are not payable in respect of the acquisition of the school site.