Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 3

Written Answers. - All-Irish School.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

66 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will map out a critical path to ensure the opening of an all-Irish second level school for Dublin north-east by September 2000 in view of the undertakings made by him in his meeting with the committee seeking this school. [20103/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I support the development of an all-Irish second level provision in north-east Dublin.

An examination carried out by my Department indicated the likelihood that there would be a significant level of demand for such a facility, in view of the growth in the number of all-Irish primary schools in the general area. This examination also highlighted the fact that there is surplus post-primary accommodation in the area.

Earlier this year, one of the schools concerned offered the use of its surplus accommodation to the promoters of the all-Irish facility. The school in question has a strong disposition towards the Irish language and its teaching staff was very sup portive of the proposed initiative. The offer involved immediate access to satisfactory classroom accommodation and as much autonomy as was practicable within the existing management structure. If the offer had been accepted, it would have enabled an all-Irish post-primary facility to commence in September 1999. Regrettably, however, the offer was refused on the basis that the promoters wished to have a fully independent school.

I appreciate the considerations which led the promoters to reject the offer but I am aware, also, of existing arrangements of this nature operating successfully as part of a second-level school. In addition, as Minister for Education and Science, I have overall responsibility to ensure that the use of existing school accommodation is maximised.

I had a constructive meeting with the promoters on Wednesday, 13 October 1999, at which they made a number of points to me. I undertook to consider the points made and I will be in further touch with them as soon as possible.