Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - School Closures.

Mr. Belton

I take this opportunity to emphasise the urgency of the current ASTI dispute. I again plead with the Government to take part in worthwhile negotiations to end this dispute which is a disaster from the point of view of the students involved.

A meeting took place last Monday night in St. Joseph's secondary school, Newtownforbes. This was attended by hundreds of people who are extremely concerned about the future of the school. The Mercy Order, who are the trustees of the school, announced the previous week that the school will be closed by 2003. The news was received with extreme shock and sadness in the area. There are approximately 175 students attending St. Joseph's secondary school which has a long and proud record. At one stage it was one of Ireland's best known schools in relation to exam results and other activities such as music and so on.

Given that the boarding element of the school ended ten years ago, naturally numbers have fallen. However, Newtownforbes is situated not far from Longford town and the area qualifies for rural renewal status. The number of houses anticipated for the area and the number of planning applications indicate that this area will need all its current educational facilities. Will the Minister of State ensure that this school is maintained to serve the needs of the people in the surrounding area? Educational facilities must be maintained so that students and parents have options. Most Ministers, Governments and school authorities are striving for smaller numbers in order to give students the time and individual attention this type of facility can provide.

I will be very interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say on this issue which is ongoing. The parents are meeting this evening with the Mercy Order and I will continue to work on their behalf, and on behalf of the whole area, to ensure that the school is retained.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I thank Deputy Belton for raising this issue.

In relation to the ASTI dispute, we all share his concerns in this regard and recognise that the teaching profession must be valued and properly remunerated. I hope the ASTI will accept the invitation to become part of the benchmarking process and work within the PPF to ensure they can get the recognition, status and pay they deserve.

In relation to the specific issue raised by Deputy Belton, St. Joseph's secondary school was established in the early 1950s. Formerly an all-girls boarding school, co-education was introduced in the late 1970s and in 1989 the boarding element of the school was closed. Enrolments at the school peaked in the early 1990s at more than 450 pupils. However, in the intervening period, there has been a steady decline in numbers and the current enrolment stands at 175 pupils. Based on the pattern of decline to date, future intakes of fewer than 30 pupils could have been anticipated.

In the recent past, the trustees of St. Joseph's, the Sisters of Mercy, western province, met officials of the Department of Education and Science to discuss the matter. The Sisters confirmed that, in view of the major decline in enrolments in recent years, it was their intention to announce the closure of the school. They have decided that closure is to be on a phased basis over the next two years, with final closure at the end of the 2002-03 school year. There will be no intake of first year pupils next September but all existing pupils will be in a position to complete their junior or senior cycle, as appropriate, at the school.

The Sisters of Mercy also indicated to officials in the Department of Education and Science that it was their intention to discuss their decision fully with the school board of management, the staff and parents. Meetings have taken place with the board and staff and a meeting with parents is imminent. This is an important process, given the order's history in the area. Departmental officials will continue to monitor developments closely to ensure that alternative places will be available for pupils completing junior cycle in St. Joseph's and for those who would otherwise have enrolled in the school.

I congratulate the Mercy order on its record of educational achievement at St. Joseph's over many years. Fortunately, they will maintain an educational presence at second level in the area through Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford town.