Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Schools Building Projects.

Mr. Timmins:

I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. Blessington, situated in west Wicklow only a few miles from the Dublin border, is subject to the population overflow of the greater metropolitan area. In March-April 1999, St. Mary's primary school obtained approval from the Department of Education and Science to renovate the old school building and turn it into classrooms. To date, this work has not even commenced, resulting in the staff room being used as a classroom and a converted hallway being used as a special needs room for the past year.

In September 1999, 361 pupils enrolled in the school and 386 pupils are enrolled for September. There will be a need to accommodate 15 classes but there will only be 12 rooms. In April of this year, the school applied for the provision of two permanent prefabs to accommodate growing numbers. There has not been any definite response to this request.

With only a couple of months to go until September, the school faces a crisis and it is unacceptable that the young children of the area should be subjected to such conditions. I am aware that sanction has been given for a new school but it may be several years before this comes to fruition. What is the updated position and will the Minister address the points I have raised without delay to ensure that problems will not arise in September?

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Mr. O'Dea):

At present, the staffing level at St. Mary's National School is a principal plus 12 assistant teachers and a remedial teacher. The school's enrolment level was 361 at September 1999. Due to an increase in pupil enrolments, an existing old church building situated adjacent to the school will be converted shortly to accommodate two additional classrooms.

The Department of Education and Science is currently examining the tender report received for this work and will be in contact with the school authorities as soon as possible. In the meantime, the temporary accommodation needs at the school are currently being assessed by the Department and a letter will issue to the management authorities of the school very shortly concerning this matter.

The Deputy will appreciate that there is a very large number of school building projects on hand within the Department. Due to the priority which this Government has given to reversing the neglect of our primary schools evident previously, the spending Estimates show primary school building and renovation funding increasing by an unprecedented 186% from the 1997 budget allocation. In addition, we have significantly reduced the burden of fundraising faced by schools and communities throughout the country.

I assure the Deputy that these projects will be progressed as quickly as possible and I thank him again for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position to the House.

Mr. Finucane:

I appreciate the opportunity to raise this matter. On previous occasions, I have highlighted the urgent need to build a Gaelscoil in Newcastlewest. In 1995, the then Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, approved the building of Gaelscoil Ó Dóghair i gCaisleán Nua. The Gaelscoil operates from a collection of prefabricated buildings and a local community centre. The current situation is entirely unsatisfactory. There are 230 pupils in the school which is staffed by 11 teachers, including a principal teacher, eight assistant teachers, one remedial and one resource teacher.

The planning unit of the Department has been provided with the costings for the work. On 26 May 2000, Limerick County Council granted permission for a new eight classroom school in addition to a general purposes room and ancillary accommodation in Newcastlewest. The laying of sewerage pipes and the provision of water facilities has also been agreed and the Department has been notified accordingly. The Department should indicate that it will reimburse the Gaelscoil for the two and a half acre site it has purchased.

There are no impediments to the construction of this school which, since 1995, has continued to lose its priority building status. The Gaelscoil pupils and parents have suffered a great deal of inconvenience over the years and their tolerance of the situation cannot be taken for granted any longer. There are no obstacles to building the school and I sincerely hope the Minister will con firm that the school will be given priority status. Will he also confirm the Department's approval that the construction of a new school can proceed at this stage?

Mr. O'Dea:

I thank Deputy Finucane for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the Department's current position regarding the proposed new school for Gaelscoil Ó Dóghair, Newcastlewest, County Limerick.

The school has a current staffing level of principal teacher, eight assistant teachers and a remedial teacher. The school's enrolment at 30 September 1999 was 217. The school is currently based in temporary accommodation in the local community centre and the Department is grant aiding 95% of the rental costs.

The Department of Education and Science has approved the commencement of architectural planning for the provision of a new school for Gaelscoil Ó Dóghair. A site has been identified and the Department's building unit is currently pursuing the acquisition of the site.

I assure the Deputy that this case is being dealt with as speedily as possible having regard to the large number of school building projects on hand within the Department. I thank him again for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position to the House.