Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity of raising this matter. A serious problem has arisen at the De La Salle post primary school, Dundalk, in the last couple of days. On this day last week I put down a parliamentary question to the Minister in relation to the proposed extension to this school and was told that the Department had had discussions with the school authorities with a view to establishing the appropriate range of accommodation to be provided and that the Department was currently awaiting documentation from the school in that regard. I was satisfied with that reply.
However, over the last weekend a letter has been received by about 50 parents of children on the list for this school, some since they were three or four years of age. The letter is from the principal of the school and states:
For the past four years we have been trying to cope with increasing numbers. Each year we are pressed to accept extra classes while negotiating with the Department of Education for extra accommodation. We expected to have an extension completed for September, 1993, but it did not materialise. Our intake depends upon suitable accommodation and since it does not seem to be in the estimates for the next few years we must review our planned intake. We regret, therefore, that we cannot now offer your son a place for 1994 for the reasons outlined.
I understand that the school will be taking in about 120 pupils in September 1994 but that there is an overflow of about 50. Obviously, the parents are extremely worried. Many were taken completely unawares by this situation. I raised this matter around this time last year when I received information that there would be a problem in the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and, perhaps 1997.
I raised the matter in a general way because a number of parents in the Dundalk area indicated it had been brought to their attention. The Minister gave a comprehensive reply which I accepted. She indicated her inspectors had not received information to the effect that there would be any severe difficulties. If I recall correctly, she stated that applications had not been received from any of the schools in the post primary sector for extra accommodation at that time. She indicated that if problems arose she would be sympathetic to the demands of the school authorities and, if necessary, provide either temporary or permanent accommodation. The Minister indicated that the hump in the population graph at entry to post primary level, which has manifested itself throughout the country, is a problem about which planners were aware and that some action would have to be taken, not only in Dundalk, but in other major urban areas. It is too late for the pupils who have been refused entry to the De La Salle College in Dundalk to go to other schools in the town seeking places because they are full. Even the vocational school in Dundalk may be full. I understand that a number of the 50 pupils who were refused entry to the De La Salle college are seeking places in the vocational school and other schools in the town, but I doubt if they will be successful.
A meeting of concerned parents will take place tomorrow night to establish why their children have been singled out in this way. Therefore, will the Minister take on board the demand of the school management and principal for accommodation, temporary or permanent, as soon as possible?
