Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2007
76 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has held discussions with the Department of Education and Science in relation to ensuring that the proposed Irish language teacher training centre in Baile Bhuirne, County Cork is opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7727/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have already indicated to the House, I have had discussions with the Minister for Education and Science on various occasions with regard to the development of an Irish language education centre at Baile Bhuirne, County Cork. Consultations have also taken place between officials of my Department and the Department of Education and Science with a view to progressing this matter.
The Deputy may be aware that officials of my Department took part in a series of meetings in the Department of Education and Science some months ago regarding the matter. These were attended by senior representatives of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. I understand the matter remains under consideration. However, while my Department continues to take an active part in that process, the Deputy will appreciate that the issue is primarily one for the Minister for Education and Science.
As the Minister has been aware for some time, this issue has created considerable controversy in the Baile Bhuirne area where the former De La Salle college was an Irish language school. It has been accepted by those who teach Irish that a special Irish language education college would be of tremendous benefit to the teaching of Irish. We spend substantial resources trying to ensure as many people as possible speak Irish but the end result is not particularly positive. Consistent improvements in teaching methods are required to ensure children receive the best possible tuition in Irish and continue to speak the language when they leave school.
Opening an Irish language teacher training centre in the former De La Salle college would be of tremendous benefit to a Gaeltacht area which people have traditionally visited to perfect their Irish language skills. I urge the Minister to encourage his ministerial colleagues to ensure this proposed project comes to fruition. Visiting the building recently during a trip to County Cork, Deputy Kenny gave a clear commitment that the proposal will be implemented immediately after a change of Government.
Deputy Kenny may not be aware that there is, as far as I understand, a coláiste leanúna in Coláiste Mhuire in Marino. The proposal is new and interesting and has not been made before with regard to Baile Bhuirne. I suggest the Deputy raise the matter with the Minister for Education and Science. It is interesting that I appear to receive more questions on this issue than the Minister for Education and Science who has direct responsibility for it.
My Department, the Department of Education and Science, Údarás na Gaeltachta and other bodies are discussing what should be done with the college in Baile Bhuirne. The idea proposed by the Deputy is interesting and I will mention it to the Minister for Education and Science. Other ideas are also in the mix. We should produce a number of proposals for the college.
As I indicated on a recent visit to Réidh na nDóirí, none of us would be discussing the future of Baile Bhuirne, where some of the land in question has already been put to good use, if we had not made the decision to buy the land. It is a decision I never regret because it is an incredibly valuable property. No matter how long it takes to develop something in that location, the site is there to facilitate it. There is no way we could purchase it now.
My understanding is that this centre was intended to develop áiseanna, teaching aids, books and so on for Gaeltacht schools, scoileanna Gaeilge and any schools within the system that wish to use such material. Am I correct in this recollection?
Yes.
I receive a significant number of representations on this matter. The sod was turned for this project by the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, before the last general election. Is there any realistic chance the Government will proceed with it?
The Deputy would get more useful answers by asking the relevant Minister, who has all the departmental files. My Department offered some capital finance to the project but we are only bit players. The Minister for Education and Science could give the Deputy chapter and verse because she has access to all the files. The Deputy is correct that it was proposed to provide a national education centre there. However, it was never proposed to establish a teacher training college. It is a nice idea, however, and we can convey it to the Minister.
A change came about following the establishment of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. Its ideas have influenced developments. I accept the Deputy's point that it is time for us to come to a firm decision on what should be done with Coláiste Íosagáin. Discussions are ongoing and I hope a decision can be made in the near future. Technical issues in regard to teacher centres are very much in the education realm. Such issues are not my direct responsibility and I would not like to pre-empt anything the Minister for Education and Science might say if the Deputy puts a question to her on the matter.
Is it true that the site in Baile Bhuirne was acquired nine years ago?
Yes.
Does the Minister not accept that our concerns arise from this delay in progressing the project? Talk of more consultation and consideration sends out the wrong signals about the project. There has been major growth in the gaelscoil sector throughout the island of Ireland. Perhaps consideration could be given to the establishment of a teacher training centre at Baile Bhuirne on an all-Ireland basis. I am sure the Minister is aware of the march that took place in Belfast at the weekend concerning issues arising from the major growth in the Irish language in the North. The idea of developing teaching aids will have a positive roll-over effect in terms of all-Ireland education.
I accept the Deputy's point. However, if a decision were made to establish another all-Irish teacher training college, the possible location would have to be examined. That is a matter for the Minister for Education and Science.
I wish to make clear that Baile Bhuirne was not bought for a specific purpose, something that was controversial at the time. The property came on the market and we decided to purchase it. Proposals regarding an ionad náisiúnta oideachais came after that. I recall that when the proposal to purchase came to me from Údarás na Gaeltachta, I wrote a three-page treatise on why it should be bought, even though there was no specific purpose for it at the time.
The purchase price of £0.5 million seems low today. For that sum we acquired 40 acres of land and a building, on a site adjacent to the Údarás's existing industrial estate in Baile Bhuirne. Some of the land has since been amalgamated into the industrial estate and is used by Údarás na Gaeltachta for its industrial purposes. In addition, some of the land has been made available for sports purposes. We all know the high costs involved in securing land for sports facilities in local communities. The initial investment has probably already paid for itself and we still have the buildings and most of the land for future use.
I reiterate that the property was not purchased with the intention of building a national education centre there. That proposal arose subsequent to the purchase. That is the explanation for the timeframe of nine years since the site was bought. When land became available in the middle of the village of Baile Bhuirne, adjacent to the existing Údarás lands, it was clearly a wise move to purchase because it would never come on the market again. If we had not bought, there would probably be houses there now and everybody would say it was an awful pity we did not purchase it. It is a fantastic State resource and we must use it wisely and ensure good use for it in future. I have no doubt that will happen in time. We will continue to work towards that objective.
