Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - School Accommodation.

Mr. Perry

I thank the Minister for coming into the House to reply to this matter. He is committed to the development of schools and it is disappointing that I have to raise a matter such as this on the Adjournment.

In June 1996 the then Minister, Niamh Bhreathnach, sanctioned a new school with four classrooms to replace the existing schools of Carrowreagh and Doocastle and allocated £250,000 for the project. Since then numerous verbal promises have been given to the chairman and there was a visit from Dermot McCormack who met a number of the parents of the pupils. To date the parents have not seen any progress. I have received a letter from the chairman of the board of management asking when the school will be completed and ready for occupation.

Last week's Sligo Champion carried the headline “South Sligo parents threaten boycott at rat-infested school” and that is the main reason I raised this matter tonight. It is very bad that such a headline should have been carried in a provincial newspaper in this technological age, having regard to what the Department is doing to promote education. What is stated in that headline should not have to happen. I am concerned about the condition of that school. I am sure the Minister will give me assurances tonight and that we will be able to resolve the problem.

Furious parents, whose children are being taught in a rat-infested school, issued an ultimatum to the Minister, "give us our new school or our children stay at home". Those parents will withdraw up to 50 children unless they receive an assurance that work will commence on the long promised school next year. This is the second time the parents have threatened to boycott the school, which has a leaking roof, plaster peeling off the walls and no indoor toilet facilities. Conditions at the two teacher school are so cramped that when a remedial teacher visits she has to hold her class in a damp corridor.

A start up date has been promised on four occasions, but each time the Department of Education and Science has employed delaying tactics. I am not saying those tactics were employed at the Minister's instigation. The board of management and parents had hoped that work would start on the new school this year after planning permission was granted last July, but the latest news is that the project will not go to tender until the end of January. They have been given so many promises that they have issued a letter which asks the Minister to prevent this boycott on 11 January by providing written confirmation of the timescale involved, the commencement date of the school building and the likely opening date of the new school. That is why I consider it important to raise this matter before the Christmas recess.

This issue has been ongoing for some time, but the Minister has been in office for more than 18 months. The parents of the pupils of Carrowreagh school and the board of management want the Minister to categorically state in the House that work on the school building will commence next January. I hope the Minister will give that assurance tonight.

Another factor in the delay in commencing work on the building of the new school is the increased amount required in respect of the local contribution which has been collected over a number of years. More local funding is required now than was required three to four years ago, another outcome of the delay in commencing work on the building of the new school. Will the Minister provide written confirmation of the timescale involved, the commencement date for building and a likely opening date for the school? This would prevent an unnecessary boycott on 11 January. It is important that clarification is provided tonight and that this issue is settled before Christmas.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am glad the Deputy has given me an opportunity to outline the current position regarding the proposed new building for Carrowreagh national school.

Many projects were sanctioned in 1996 and money was not available for them. That created a difficulty in catching up with the backlog. The new building is being provided to facilitate an amalgamation of Carrowreagh National School and Doocastle National School. At present the Carrowreagh National School has a staffing level of principal plus one assistant and an enrolment of 46. Doocastle National School also has a staffing of principal plus assistant and has an enrolment of 19 pupils.

I am acutely aware of the poor condition of the school at Carrowreagh. The local schools' inspector and my Department's building inspector have reported extensively on the poor condition of the building. The renewal of substandard accommodation at primary school level is a major priority for this Government and I am making great progress on this issue. I have ensured an increase in the capital allocation of 40 per cent for 1999 over the equivalent figure for 1998.

I assure the Deputy that my Department is working hard to ensure that construction will commence at the earliest opportunity in the new year. The current position is that the tender documentation is being prepared. I expect this will be finalised soon. I will then take a decision on tender invitation. Following receipt and examination of tenders, a suitable contractor will be appointed. On a project of this size a contract period of nine months is normally allowed.

Considering the number of stages involved, it is not realistic for me to give a definitive timescale for construction or a likely opening date for a new school. I could do that but the Deputy has made the point that there have been many false dawns for this project. My view on timescales and deadlines is to do as much as possible in terms of the work which must be done. I assure the Deputy there will be no delays. There is no reason for any delay. The funding is in position so there is no reason for my officials to delay this because of lack of funds.

I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to ensure that progress on this project is expedited. I am fully committed to ensuring that the school's accommodation problems are satisfactorily resolved, I thank the Deputy again for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position.

Mr. Perry

This will help prevent the boycott.

Mr. Martin

There is no need for a boycott on 11 January. It would achieve nothing. We will proceed as quickly as we can and I guarantee I will keep the Deputy and the board of management informed on a step by step basis. I want this school built as quickly as possible. The money is there and that is the key. We have to invite tenders and that takes time. We are at the mercy of those who send in the tenders. They are then examined and we make a decision and the project commences. I guarantee we will work very hard to ensure the conditions at the schools will not have to be endured for much longer.