Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Mallow (Cork) Gaelscoil.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

I thank you for allowing me to raise this important issue. I am concerned and disappointed — and it is no reflection on my good friend from Cork, Deputy Allen — that the Minister for Education is not here to address this issue. She has been asked to receive deputations on several occasions this year but she has been unhelpful. It is saddening to have to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

There are approximately 170 pupils attending Gaelscoil Thomáis Dáibhís in Mallow. It has eight classrooms and eight teachers and was established in 1985. The structure is mainly Portakabins which have strong fungus growth in the timbers which is unsafe for children and teachers. The site is owned by Cork County Council and a proposal has been made to the Department of Education to purchase the site from the council so that a new development can be put in place. This was conveyed to the Department in January 1996 and, to date, nothing has been forthcoming but letters and Dáil questions being asked that receive negative answers, in some cases, the response: "we will be in touch". We are now looking for action.

The conditions in the school are bad, the floors and windows are rotten, the roof is leaking and fungus grows on the windows. I do not wish to be sensational, my policy is to be constructive. This is a most unhealthy atmosphere for teachers and pupils. Classrooms are small and do not satisfy Department of Education criteria. Without being sensational, the fire officer could close the school at the stroke of a pen.

Were it not for the love of the Irish language, the school would not exist. There is fantastic commitment from teachers and parents of the children who attend the gaelscoil. It is one of the more innovative gaelscoileanna on the island. It is a shame that any Minister should end that innovation and commitment to education through the Irish language. Our tradition is to support our national tongue. I am not a great speaker of Irish but I greatly admire those who develop, foster and promote our language as part of the cultural identity we have inherited. It has been the spoken language of many great and dedicated Deputies on all sides of the House.

I appeal to the Minister of State to take this message on behalf of my Mallow constituents. Knowing the work he is doing, perhaps he will have a word in the Minister's ear. It is time she listened to the dedicated teachers and people of Mallow and gave them a school worthy of the name and of which we can be proud. The Irish language should be fostered and continue to grow in the great town of Mallow where Thomas Davis, William O'Brien and many other Irish patriots were born and educated.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and the Environment (Mr. Allen)

I thank Deputy O'Keeffe for raising the matter. It gives me an opportunity to clarify the position. Gaelscoil Thomáis Dháibhís was established with temporary recognition in 1985 to meet a demand in the Mallow area for education through the medium of Irish. Permanent recognition was granted to the school in May 1990. The school is located in prefabricated accommodation, which is less than satisfactory, adjacent to Mallow vocational school.

I should mention at this stage that an application from the school for minor improvement works has been approved and grant aid has been provided.

My Department accepts that the existing accommodation is not adequate for the school's needs and that permanent accommodation is required. Generally, there are two options for the provision of permanent accommodation for gaelscoileanna. One is to provide a new school building on a new site and the other is to secure existing primary school accommodation which has become surplus to requirements due to falling enrolments.

My Department is currently examining the overall accommodation in the Mallow Centre. Where there is existing surplus primary school accommodation, as in the case of Mallow, my Department must give that option serious consideration as an alternative to the funding of a new site and building. The Deputy will appreciate that every effort must be made to make effective use of public money, particularly at a time when the demand for building projects exceeds available resources.

In view of the urgency of the need for permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Thomáis Dháibhís, my Department is also examining the question of the acquisition of a site. A potential site, which was identified by the board of management of the gaelscoil, has been inspected by an architect from the Department and is considered generally suitable. However, while contact has been made with the owners regarding its availability, it has been established that the site does not have direct road access and the question of arranging access through an adjacent site is being examined at present.

The Deputy can be assured that the question of providing permanent accommodation for the school is being treated as a matter of urgency in my Department. Deputy O'Keeffe's views will be given to the Minister as soon as possible.