Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. I raise the matter of the amalgamation of three schools in Greenhills. While the amalgamation is going ahead, I raise in particular the methodology of communication on how this arose in the first instance, which left a great deal to be desired. The rules and procedures in place appear to be merely written down and are not to be observed. The first that parents heard about this was a note in the schoolbag to say it was a done deal and that was the end of the story. The first the Department of Education and Skills heard about it was at more or less the same time.
Last year, I asked a question about this and the Department did not know anything about it. The matter is in the prerogative of Archbishop's House in conjunction with the parish. The communication came directly from the school via the schoolbags of the children, but that is not the methodology laid down for consultation. Working in partnership in education we have parents, boards of management, school management, patrons and the Department. They should all work together according to a procedure which is laid down. This needs to be clarified in relation to how one goes about amalgamating schools, who is to be consulted and how such consultation is to take place.
The parents contacted me and I knew as much about it as they did, which was nothing. I had to bring all I could together into a meeting room to get some information. I must say that when I contacted the Department of Education and Skills, it gave me any information it had. When I contacted Archbishop's House the information then came forward, but it was not forthcoming before. What worries the parents is that while the amalgamation is going ahead, the buildings, space, location and services have not been outlined or timelined. In particular, it is a worry for parents whose children are on the autism spectrum as the ASD unit in St. Peter's national school will be amalgamated into St. Paul's national school. When will they see the services and when will they see written confirmation that the services they have now will be maintained and enhanced? They definitely do not want to go backwards and at least want to ensure the service and space goes with them. I do not know where the sensory room in St. Peter's national school will go.
When will we see detailed plans for the amalgamation arrangements? There is an apparent lack of space at the moment and three into two will not go. Just today, I received a separate communication from the Department to say there is some funding available for buildings. Can the Minister outline what is there and when it is expected to be on the ground? When two schools are being put together, it must be given priority. It is not a new school, but will be the same over on another field and there will be less space. I also ask the Minister to comment on the outdoor play space area. What is left there and what is in the hands of the parish? The parish owns a certain bit of land outside the school. Is it possible to include that in the negotiation? With concerns about obesity, outside play space is as important as inside play space, particularly for PE. To have teachers juggling when they let children out because of space is not fair. There is land there that should be used.
It was part of the school but it is fenced off at the moment. Will the Minister comment on that in the context of the amalgamation? Rather than using this space for anything else, it should be used for outdoor activities. Has agreement been reached? If so, what is its status within the Department? The new school is planned for next September but many parents are not happy that they have been given sufficient information about the accommodation, facilities, services, money and new buildings. What new buildings will be provided?
