Micheál Martin
Ceist:233 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the reason sporting and recreational facilities did not influence the decision to locate the proposed community school in Moate, County Westmeath. [6167/96]
Written Answers. - Proposed Community School.
Micheál Martin
Ceist:234 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has for the proposed community school in Moate, County Westmeath; the timetable for the implementation of these plans including any infrastructural work that has to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6169/96]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:235 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if her Department approached the Carmelite Order in Moate, County Westmeath, on 12 January 1995, seeking additional acreage for the purpose of car-parking facilities in the context of locating the proposed community school in Moate at their site. [6170/96]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:236 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the dates of all the meetings held between her Department and the Carmelite Order in Moate, County Westmeath, concerning the acquisition of a site for the proposed community school; the content of these discussions; the outcome of these meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6172/96]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:237 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education whether the safety of children attending the proposed community school in Moate, County Westmeath was taken into account when the decision to locate the proposed community school at a particular site in Moate, County Westmeath, was taken particularly in view of the fact that the proposed site is adjacent to a major motorway. [6173/96]
Mary Wallace
Ceist:251 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education her current plans regarding the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in Moate, County Westmeath, namely the Carmelite College, the Business College and the Mercy Convent; and if all facilities in this new school will be accessible to wheelchairs. [6217/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 233, 234, 235, 236, 237 and 251 together.
I must emphasise that I took all factors relating to the location for the community school into account before I gave my decision that it should be provided on the combined Mercy and vocational site. I should also mention that this site provides adequate space for the needs, including sporting and recreational needs, of the new school.
A senior architect from the building unit of my Department has visited the school recently with a view to addressing the issue of access for pupils with disabilities. The intention is that measures will be put in place to improve accessibility significantly by September 1996. Architectural planning of the additional permanent accommodation will also take full account of this aspect.
The community school will commence operation in September 1996 and temporary additional accommodation is to be provided in the meantime to facilitate its opening. My Department is currently examining the question of provision of permanent accommodation to meet the school's long-term requirements.
A key consideration in the selection of a location for the new community school in Moate was the precise extent, configuration and cost of the sites on offer to my Department. Initially, my Department's approach was to ask the Mercy and Carmelite Orders for sites of similar size, so as to be able to make an accurate cost comparison. Further discussions were held to determine the precise layout of the Carmelite site because the configuration of the original site being offered was not ideal for the development of a community school and ancillary facilities. It was in the context of these discussions that, among other matters, the question of car-parking facilities arose and the Carmelite Order decided to offer a larger site.
I have already given an undertaking to arrange for a deputation to meet with officials from the planning section of my Department, to explain the decision, if such a meeting is required.
Officials from my Department met with the Carmelite Order or their representatives on 3 and 12 January 1996 regarding the availability of a site for the new school. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to disclose the details of these meetings.
Safety is of paramount concern in the planning of all school buildings. The combined Mercy and vocational site is located in the middle of the town of Moate and, as such, could hardly be described as adjacent to a major motorway. Prior to the amalgamation process and, in particular, the selection of a site, no concerns in relation to road safety were brought to my attention. Nonetheless, architectural planning will take full account of the need for a safe set-down and pick-up point for pupils being transported to the new school.