The House will now hear two minute statements on matters appropriate to the Ministers for Education, Defence and the Gaeltacht. I propose to call the Deputies I selected in the following order: Deputy Owen, Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Connaughton in respect of matters to the Minister for Education, and Deputy Jim O'Keeffe in respect of a matter to the Minister for Defence. Deputy McGinley has a matter to put to the Minister for the Gaeltacht. Deputy Owen is not present and I will, therefore, call Deputy Rabbitte.
Adjournment Debate. - Education, Defence and Gaeltacht Matters.
The issue I wish to raise is special in every way. It concerns a special school in my constituency which caters for 184 or 187 mildly mentally handicapped boys and girls. It is special in the sense that its work is valued by the parents of the area and it is special in that its catchment area is a disadvantaged area or, in the language of the Department, a deprived area. Despite these circumstances, the board of management have found it necessary to appeal to the Minister to have them considered under the facility in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to appoint a secretarial assistant. Because of the special dimensions of the school and the complexity of the administration, there is a need for that facility in a school doing much needed and valuable work. Although the school does not specifically meet the pupil number requirement, I hope the Minister will consider this request. Special schools feel that they are marginalised and that their work is not appreciated. I can vouch for the good work being done by this school and I ask the Minister to reconsider the application.
Deputy Rabbitte is aware that the first phase of a programme was introduced in September 1992. This programme was provided under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to expand the provision for caretaking and clerical services to all national schools with 100 pupils upwards and to all second level schools with 200 pupils upwards. For this purpose, in the case of national schools not being provided with such services under any existing arrangements, an additional grant not exceeding £15,000 will be paid to schools of 500 pupils upwards, with a pro rata provision related to school size in the range 100 to 499. For secondary schools, the maximum increase in capitation grant will amount to £17,000 for schools of 350 pupils upwards, with a pro rata provision in the range of 200 to 349. These arrangements are complemented by the provisions under the social employment scheme. Schools with 500 pupils and over which do not currently have secretarial services are being assisted in the first phase of the programme.
Grants are a supplement to the schools capitation grant and boards of management are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the provision of clerical and caretaking services appropriate to the needs of the school.
I think the Deputy will agree that assistance to those schools should have been given top priority. As resources become available, the needs of other schools will be addressed. My Department are at present defining priorities for the further phasing in of the programme. In this regard, particular account will be taken of the needs of special schools. I assure the Deputy that his concern regarding this special school will be noted.
Because my contribution is limited to two minutes, I can deal with the core of this problem only. I speak of the problem relating to the community school at Portumna in County Galway.
Amalgamation of the existing secondary school and the nearby vocational school was mooted by the Department of Education in 1989 and in 1990 it became a reality. The amalgamation took place rapidly because the teachers, parents and boards of management involved took the Department at their word that a full, comprehensive range of subjects would be made available at once. That did not happen and now Portumna is the only community school in Ireland that does not offer metalwork or engineering as a subject choice.
The college authorities want to meet the Minister for Education urgently. So far their requests have received no positive response. I should like the Minister of State to say that the Minister will meet them, or give the reasons for not meeting them.
In order to deliver on the promise made by the Department to the new community school in 1989, a new building extension is absolutely necessary. Planning permission has been received and the plans are ready. This evening I want the Minister to guarantee the pupils, the teachers and the parents of the 620 pupil school in Portumna that he will include the cost of the building in the 1993 Estimate currently being prepared. If that does not happen, I issue a very stern warning to all other schools countrywide contemplating amalgamation. The Portumna experience is beginning to turn very sour and the Department must honour their financial commitment now.
I am glad to have this opportunity to tell the House about the situation in Portumna community school.
Following agreement at local level between the two post-primary schools in the town, Portumna community school came into operation on 1 August 1990. The enrolment in the school year ended last June was 632 pupils. The school operates in the main from Portumna college, which has good accommodation and which had received substantial grants over the years. It was decided to develop the community school on that site. The vocational school, while continuing to be used, is in bad condition and needs to be replaced.
With this in mind, my Department have approved the provision of new accommodation providing an extra 872 square metres along with the adaptation of some of the existing accommodation. The schedule of new accommodation is as follows: four general classrooms, one science laboratory and prep-resource area, one senior metal work room and store, one woodwork-building construction room and store, one home economics room, one group room and store, pastoral offices, toilets and cloakroom, social-circulation assembly room.
This project is now at an advanced stage of planning, with a view to proceeding to tender as soon as possible. However, having regard to the extremely difficult financial situation, it is not possible at this stage to be specific as to when the project will be released to tender and construction.
Both the Minister for Education and myself have had several meetings and discussions regarding this project with our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Treacy, who has played a key role in educational developments in the Portumna area over the past number of years. I assure the House that full consideration will be given to the needs of Portumna community school when the departmental allocations for 1993 are being finalised.
Gavin Rose is a four and a half year old child in Malahide. He is deaf, he has cerebral palsy and this year he was accepted as a pupil for the first time, because of his age, in St. Joseph's School for the Deaf in Navan Road, Dublin. As such, Gavin is entitled to free school transport to this school. On the day of school opening or thereabouts Gavin's parents were informed that he could use school transport but he would be collected as early as 7.30 a.m. for a school start at 9.30 a.m. He would have to sit on a school bus for two hours on his way to school and two hours on his way home.
Gavin not only has a multiple handicap but he has only been toilet trained recently. This may not seem an important issue for a young child of Gavin's age, but to ask a child with such handicaps to sit on a school bus for two hours in the morning and in the afternoon and to spend a day at school is inhumane.
When Gavin returns home from school each day his parents have to go through a regime of exercises with him because of his cerebral palsy. Gavin's mother recently came out of hospital after a major operation. If she were to take up the school transport offer she would have to rise at 6.30 a.m. to get Gavin his breakfast, get him dressed and into his wheelchair to take him to the school bus. In the school bus Gavin would have to sit in a specially designed, strapped-in chair or seat.
That system is not humane and I ask the Minister tonight to give me a commitment that he will examine the present system for handicapped children. Gavin is not the only child in this country having to live with that kind of system. I ask the Minister to arrange for a taxi to call to Gavin's home, and to the homes of one or two other children in his neighbourhood, so that the travel time to and from school can be reduced to a realistic 30 to 40 minutes each way. The Department told me they are willing to reduce the time in the morning but not in the afternoon. That is not good enough. That is not humane.
I am aware of the very genuine case raised by the Deputy and my Department have been investigating this matter for some time. The position is that the original transport arrangement proposed for the boy in question would have involved an extension to an existing service in the area at increased cost to my Department. Under that arrangement the boy would have been collected by school bus at his home at 7.30 a.m. and he would have arrived home in the evening at 5.00 p.m. Due to the fact that he was first on and last off each day the boy was spending a considerable time on the bus. The difficulty in resolving the situation was that, having regard to the locations covered by the particular service, it was not possible to improve on timetable for that service.
Accordingly, Bus Éireann, who are my Department's agents for the provision of school transport services, were asked to investigate the matter further as a matter of urgency. The particular difficulties which the pupil has, and the demands imposed by the original timetable, were emphasised by my Department.
A revised arrangement is now proposed by Bus Éireann whereby the boy will be collected at 8.25 a.m. in the morning and arrive at school at 9.40 a.m. He will be collected on the same service at 2 p.m. and will arrive at home at 4.15 p.m. I am satisfied that this revised arrangement is a significant improvement and the relevant parties are being informed. However, because of the very genuine situation that exists here I will endeavour if possible to improve on that service.
Thank you, Minister.
We will now hear a two minute statement from Deputy J. O'Keeffe.
Can the Minister confirm that a comprehensive inquiry has been carried out into the killing in the Lebanon of Corporal Ward and the injuring of Private Coleman and will he give details of the circumstances and the steps being taken to reduce the risk to our peacekeeping soldiers in the Lebanon? First, I want to voice my condolences to the wife and family of Corporal Ward and my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Private Coleman. It is important that we in this House recognise the role of our Army as peacekeepers in the Lebanon. I had the privilege and the opportunity of visiting them in Tibnin some years ago and I know the hazards that confront them there.
It is very important that we the elected representatives do not take for granted any death or any injury to any of our soldiers in the Lebanon or indeed on any other United Nations operation in which they are involved. I want a full inquiry into what happened. I want to know who was responsible. I want to know whether they will be brought to justice. It is very important in a general sense, taking into account that we have such a large number of soldiers in the Lebanon on a regular basis. I should like to know what steps can be taken to minimise the risks to the best degree. I should like to know from the Minister what diplomatic or political steps can be taken in support of our peacekeepers. Lastly, I want to say that I was somewhat worried, following the killing of Corporal Ward, to find a report in the Irish Independent of Tuesday, 6 October in which it was stated that four Irish UN posts were again hit by heavy machinegun fire from the Israeli backed South Lebanese Army a week or so later. Obviously there is continuing danger there and I want to know from the Minister what he is doing about it.
I am sure the House will wish to join with me in expressing deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Corporal Peter Ward — I appreciate the condolences which Deputy O'Keeffe has already expressed — on their great loss and in paying tribute to the supreme sacrifice made by him in the cause of peace in the Lebanon. Our thoughts are also with the family of Private Niall Coleman who was injured.
The incident which resulted in Corporal Ward's death occurred after a series of attacks early on Tuesday, 29 September 1992 by armed elements on positions held by Israeli backed militia. Following the attacks two armed men driving a car were refused passage through an Irish UN checkpoint at A1 Journ — part of the UN mandate. More armed elements arrived, approximately 25 to 30 armed men, and a standoff developed between them and the Irish personnel reinforced by armoured vehicles. The armed elements began firing indiscriminately. Private Coleman who was in a protected position, overlooking the checkpoint, was hit by a single round and suffered a minor stomach injury. A few minutes later Corporal Ward, a gunner on an armoured personnel carrier which was part of the reinforcement sent to the scene, was hit by small arms fire. The armoured personnel carrier immediately withdrew to a rendezvous with a medevac helicopter but Corporal Ward died from his wounds within a matter of minutes before the helicopter evacuation could be effected.
Private Coleman was evacuated to the United Nations Field Hospital at Nakuru. He is now convalescing in the regimental aid post at the Irish batallion headquarters in Tibnin.
Detailed investigations of the incident which resulted in the death of Corporal Ward and the wounding of Private Coleman are being conducted by UNIFIL headquarters and by the Irish contingent. The Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Noel Dempsey, conveyed the grave concern of the Government to the Lebanese authorities in Beirut on Thursday last. In particular, the Minister of State asked that the Lebanese Government use their authority and influence to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The Government continue to avail of every opportunity at the United Nations and in meetings at diplomatic level to press for the implementation of the necessary measures to enable UNIFIL to carry out its mandate effectively.
On my visit to Lebanon earlier this year I had the opportunity to observe at first hand the conditions under which UNIFIL is required to operate. I was most impressed by the efficient and effective manner in which the Irish batallion are carrying out their duties under difficult conditions. I was struck by the trust which the people of South Lebanon have in the Irish and of the part played by our troops in providing the environment for the rehabilitation of community life — that is very important.
Ireland has won esteem for the role played by her troops in various peacekeeping operations. Sadly, it has cost a heavy price in loss of life as we have seen most recently with the tragic death of Corporal Ward. My colleagues in Government and I are proud of the contribution of Irish military personnel to the cause of world peace.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt duit as deis a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar seo a thógáil ar an athló, agus fáilte a chur roimh Aire na Gaeltachta agus Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta anseo sa Teach ag an am seo. Sa cheantar fíor-Ghaeltachta, an Ghaeltacht Láir i dTír Chonaill, tá na comharthaí Gaelacha ansin go flúirseach, tá meánscoil lánGhaelach ann a bhfuil freastal an-mhaith air, tá na seirbhísí eaglaise uilig i nGaeilge agus tá coiste cultúrtha agus coiste paróiste an-ghníomhach ansin. Bhí mé féin agus an tAire Stáit i láthair oíche Dé hAoine seo caite nuair a láinseáladh cúpla leabhar Gaeilge don phobal, agus ní rud neamhghnách í sin mar déantar go minic é. Sílim gurb é sin an tríú huair a tharla a leithéid sin. Mar sin, is ceantar é a bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt go flúirseach agus go fairsing ann, ó Bhaile na Finne go dtí an Bhrócaigh, agus an Cuimín. Ach is é an deacracht mhór atá ann nach bhfuil fostaíocht dá laghad á cur ar bun do na daoine óga atá ina gcónaí ann.
Tá géarchéim dhífhostaíochta ansin atá níos mó, is dócha, ná ceantar ar bith eile Gaeltachta i dTír Chonaill, taobh amuigh de chlann Uí Dhochartaigh a bhfuil cúpla duine acu ag plé le hadhmad. Na monarchana a bhí ansin, tá siad dúnta — tá Fine Glas, a bhí ansin, dúnta le cúig bliana anuas, agus Rodon, a raibh seisear ag obair ann, dúnta le cúpla seachtain anuas. D'fhéadfá a rá nár cuireadh aon fhostaíocht ar bun ansin ó bunaíodh Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus aon jabanna a cruthaíodh, níl siad ann a thuilleadh. Ba mhaith liom a iarraidh ar an Aire féin, ar an Aire Stáit agus ar Údarás na Gaeltachta a seacht ndícheall a dhéanamh fostíocht a chur ar bun ansin do na daoine óga nach bhfuil aon rud le déanamh acu anois ach an ceantar a fhágáil agus dul ar an imirce mar go bhfuil an fheirmeoireacht, a raibh siad ag brath air go dtí seo, in ísle bhrí.
Aithnítear an gá práinneach le tionscal nua don cheantar Ghaeltachta seo agus thig leis an Teachta McGinley glacadh leis go bhfuil gach dar féidir á dhéanamh ag Udarás na Gaeltachta chun deiseanna breise fostaíochta a chruthú ann. Anuas ar iarrachtaí an Údaráis féin déanfar tréaniarracht chun úsáid a bhaint as aon scéimeanna don cheantar ar nós chlárú Eorpach oileáin chun fostaíocht a chruthú ann. Faoi mar is eol do choiste oibre Bhaile na Finne, atá ag feidhmiú mar eagraíocht fhorbartha áitiúil, bíonn an tÚdarás i gcomhairle leis an choiste go rialta chun forbairt an cheantair a chur chun cinn. Beidh cruinniú ann anocht idir an tÚdaras agus an coiste oibre chun cúrsaí dífhostaíochta an cheantair a phlé. Chomh maith leis sin beidh an t-ábhar speisialta sin ar chlár an Údaráis don chéad chruinniú eile ag deireadh na míosa.
Ar ndóigh, cuirfear fáilte roimh iarratais maidir le cúnamh chun tionscal fiúntach a bhunú sa cheantar, ní amháin ó lucht tionscail sa tír i gcoitinne ach ón iasacht freisin agus go háirithe ó mhuintir na Gaeltachta Láir féin. D'ainneoin na n-iarrachtaí uilig is oth liom a rá nach bhfuil ceist na fostaíochta sásúil. Bíonn iarrachtaí leanúnacha ar siúl ag an Údarás chun tograí fiúntacha a aimsiú do na monarchana folmha ansin, agus tá cruinniú práinneach á lorg acu leis na príomhaithe ón Fhionlainn chun todhchaí an ghnó seo a phlé. Tá a fhios agam, mar atá a fhios ag an Teachta McGinley, go bhfuil bunábhar sa cheantar sin agus nuair a ceadaíodh an deontas don tógra sin bhíomar den bharúil go mbeadh go leor jabanna á gcruthú, ach níor tharla sé. Tá dualgas, mar sin, ar an Údarás anois dul i dteagmháil le príomhaithe na gcomhlachtaí seo agus rud éigin a dhéanamh chun jabanna a chruthú chomh luath agus is féidir.
Chomh maith leis na ceantair sin thart ar Bhaile na Finne tá Gleann Fhinne agus an chuid eile den Ghaeltacht Láir a luaigh an Teachta McGinley. Tá mé féin i dteagmháil le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus ag iarraidh orthu suíomh a cheannach agus réamh-mhonarcha a thógáil ansin mar is é mo bharúil féin go mbeadh sé iontach fóirsteanach do thionscal.
Is léir dúinn uilig nach bhfuil aon réiteach simplí ar fhadhb na dífhostaíochta, go háirithe nuair a chuirtear san áireamh go bhfuil an meath geilleagrach idirnáisiúnta ag cur isteach go mór ar thionscail easpórtála, ní amháin sa Ghaeltacht ach sa tír i gcoitinne, D'ainneoin na ndeacrachtaí uilig a bhíonn le sárú ag an Údarás le tionscail a mhealladh chuig ceantair atá achar fada ar siúl ó bhailte móra, agus ó na calafoirt, d'éirigh leis an Údarás tionscail fhiúntacha a aimsiú sna blianta atá caite, agus beimidne sa Roinn ag tabhairt lántacaíochta don Údarás ionas go mbeidh siad ábalta níos mó tionscal a mhealladh go dtí na Gaeltachtaí éagsúla, agus go háirithe go dtí an Ghaeltacht atá faoi chaibidil againn faoi láthair.
The Dáil adjourned at 9.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 8 October 1992.