Ar dtús, tá an-áthas ormsa an deis seo a bheith agam ceist na modh-scoileanna i Luimneach a chur os comhair an Tí seo agus os comhair an Aire. Iarraim ar an Aire tosach láithreach a dhéanamh maidir le atógáil na Modhscoileanna i Luimneach.
I am very grateful indeed for the opportunity of raising in this House the important question of the immediate rebuilding of the Model Schools in Limerick and of highlighting the totally unsatisfactory and unacceptable conditions endured by the pupils and teachers of the Limerick Model Schools for the past six years.
The model schools were burnt down on 3 September 1977 and since then all the children have been taught in pre-fabricated classrooms, now amounting to 16 units in all. It is interesting to note that when planning permission was given by Limerick Corporation regarding the erection of these units it was given on the clear understanding that it would be for a three-year period and on a temporary basis in order to allow the Department of Education and the Board of Works to commence the permanent redevelopment of these schools.
I must say that all the public representatives in Limerick and myself in particular are very disappointed that there has been a six-year delay in the rebuilding of this very important school. At the time of the fire in 1977 the pupil enrolment in the model schools stood at 350 pupils, 175 boys and 175 girls. Now in 1983 the pupil enrolment stands at 463, 239 boys and 224 girls. This considerable increase in the student population of the school clearly points out the urgent need for its immediate rebuilding. An increase in six years of 33 per cent, or 113 pupils, indicates the commitment of the people of Limerick to the Irish language and using it as a medium for teaching other subjects. The model schools were opened officially as far back as 1855 and have operated since 1931 as all-Irish schools. They are the only scoileanna lán Ghaeilge in the whole Limerick area.
The increase in enrolment clearly indicates the great demand for this type of education in Limerick and its environs. I would like to point out to the House that the schools serve not only Limerick city but over 20 parishes in Limerick and its environs. What I have said so far indicates the unique, significant and special role of the model schools in the education of the Limerick school children. The schools have carved out a special niche for themselves in the history of education. As a teacher, I readily acknowledge the expertise and wonderful dedication and commitment of the teachers. These pupils are excellently prepared and have won distinctions for themselves at home and abroad.
In addition, I want to refer to the significant fact that the Minister for Education herself is in fact the patron of the schools and a departmental inspector is the manager of the schools. That is very important at a time when we are talking about changes in the curriculum and pilot projects in the whole area of education.
Finally, I am aware that the Minister of Education has approved grants amounting to over £925,000 and that these will be adjusted and obviously will come to one million pounds or so eventually. The full cost of this project will be met by the Department of Education. This will include the incorporation of the existing facade of this excellent building. The Board of Works gave us an assurance late last year and again earlier this year that it was expected that the bill of quantities and working drawings would be ready by August of this year. I am still hoping that tenders will be invited at an early date. For all those reasons I appeal to the Minister of State on behalf of the pupils, teachers, parents and past pupils to put in hand the immediate rebuilding of the model school and, if possible, to indicate an approximate date for the commencement of the work.
I should like to thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity of raising this serious matter and I look forward to hearing the Minister of State.