Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Caisleán Nua (Luimnigh) Gaelscoil.

Mr. Finucane

This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and to wish him well in his portfolio. I am pleased the Minister is present to reply to this debate. Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Caisleán Nua, is a tremendous success story, mainly because of the driving influence of its principal, Daithí Ó Murchú, and the other two teachers at the school. The parents of west and east Limerick have responded to this service and the school now has more than 220 pupils, with 29 parishes represented. All-Irish education is facing a bright future in west Limerick.

In 1993 the Minister, Niamh Bhreathnach, recognised the success of Gaelscoil Ó Doghair by creating the first Gaelcoláiste in the mid-west, in Newcastle West. In 1995 the Gaelscoil received confirmation that it was included in the capital building programme, but since then there has been no serious commitment to building the school.

At present the Gaelscoil operates mainly from prefabricated classrooms. There is a threat by Limerick County Council of immediate eviction from the classrooms. Six prefabricated classrooms have been condemned by officialdom. This sorrowful mess can only be resolved by an immediate provision in the forthcoming budget for a nine teacher Gaelscoil on the site. Negotiations are at present being finalised by the Department of Education in consultation with Shannon Development, which provided the site.

This Gaelscoil has had to operate with inadequate accommodation. The parents, pupils and teachers have had to put up with unsuitable accommodation. The teachers have done their best to provide excellent education in inadequate surroundings. The Minister should honour the promise made in 1995 to provide in west Limerick an educational establishment of which we can all be proud as we face the new millennium.

Mr. Martin

Táim buíochas a ghabháil don Teachta Dála an scéal seo a luaite san Dáil anocht. I am aware Gaelscoil Ó Doghair has experienced difficulties to date. The school is staffed by a principal and seven assistants. The September 1997 enrolment was approximately 207 pupils. That the construction of a new school has been included on the Department's capital programme since 1995 created expectations which have not been realised. It simply meant that planning could start, but it meant nothing in terms of Estimates. That is why nothing has happened since 1995.

Mr. Finucane

The priority status of the project meant it could not be superseded by other schools.

Mr. Martin

Since I came to office the Gaelscoileanna file is the one that has caused enormous headaches. There are about 35 Gaelscoil projects, with another 15 to come on stream because of recognition given in the past two to three years. In the past ten years an ad hoc planning process has been involved in regard to Gaelscoileanna, the vast majority of which are in poor condition, with temporary prefabs, classes held in dressing rooms and so on. I intend to deal with this issue as quickly as possible. The capital Estimate for 1997 was £27 million and I succeeded in achieving £40 million in this year's capital Estimate, which will improve the position.

The Department is in the process of purchasing a 2.5 acre site which is considered adequate to accommodate an eight classroom school. The parents' committee, however, wishes to purchase a further 2.15 acres. The Department has agreed to facilitate the vendors' request for a single purchase transaction. The parents' committee will reimburse the Department the cost of the 2.15 acres and the Minister will reassign this part of the site to the parents' committee for use by the Gaelscoil. The purchase of the site is conditional on planning permission being obtained within six months from the contract date.

The planning documentation is being prepared by the Department while consultation is ongoing with the board of management on the school building. I am conscious of the need to provide the new facility as quickly as possible. When the planning stages have been completed satisfactorily I will give every consideration to releasing the project to tender and contract in the light of existing contractual commitments and available capital funding. I am not yet in a position to give a realistic commencement date for construction. I thank the Deputy for the opportunity of outlining to the House the current position in regard to the school. I will bear in mind the comments he made.