Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2004
167 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself with the proposal put forward by his Department on the closure of St. Catherine’s College of Education for Home Economics; his views on whether students attending the college will be in a position to obtain full instruction in teaching in the required curriculum with the reduction of staff numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12326/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra168 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department appears to have taken a decision that it will not redeploy persons who are employed on a temporary basis, whether full-time or part-time, at a college (details supplied); if he has satisfied himself that such a decision treats these persons in a fair and equitable manner. [12329/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra169 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will assess whether temporary whole-time staff employed at a college (details supplied) can be deployed to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12330/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 to 169, inclusive, together.
The issue of the future of St. Catherine's arose in the context of a decision by the Dominican trustees of St. Catherine's that, due to personnel and financial considerations, they were no longer in a position to fulfil the role of trustees of the college. Following discussions between the trustees and my Department, it was agreed that a consultant would be appointed who would meet relevant parties and prepare a report on the options available.
The consultant's report was thoroughly examined in my Department and the options for the future of the college were set out for my consideration. Having carefully considered all of them and having taken into account other factors such as the national spatial strategy, relevant costs in a time of financial constraint, a Government decision to restrict public service numbers, the need to secure value for money and a better allocation of resources, I decided that these considerations are best served by the closure of St. Catherine's and the designation of St. Angela's College, Sligo, as the sole centre for the training of home economics teachers.
The closure of St. Catherine's will be phased over the next four years to facilitate students currently enrolled in the college in completing their course of training in the college. The supply of home economics teachers will not be affected by the closure, as student intake to St. Angela's College will increase. Discussions are currently taking place between officials of my Department and the management authorities of St. Catherine's on the practical arrangements involved in the closure of the college. As part of these discussions, the issue of future staffing levels with reduced student numbers is being addressed. I understand that no decisions have yet been made on this matter.
