Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this very important matter. I am very concerned at the proposed closure by the Christian Brothers of St. Michael's CBS, Inchicore. Many of us were educated by the Christian Brothers and I received my primary education from them. It was a very good education. The Christian Brothers provided, to millions of young boys in particular, an education that was second to none in spite of the difficulties and lack of resources experienced over the past 100 years. The challenges that now exist in St. Michael's CBS are small in comparison with those the Christian Brothers faced in the past and which they overcame through hard work and dignity, thereby resulting in success.

St. Michael's CBS is a particularly important school, not only for the people of Inchicore or Dublin South-Central but also for the people of the whole country. The Inchicore area, especially around St. Michael's, is the most socially and economically disadvantaged and deprived area in the country. The school is providing education to a very small number of children who need individual attention because of the physical, social or familial problems they face and because of all the other factors that impinge upon the development of such young children. The teachers, Christian Brothers and board of management have worked very hard and successfully over recent years to provide the type of education and nurturing these children need and deserve.

I understand the Taoiseach visited the school not too long ago and met all the pupils and teachers. Despite the fact that the school did not have the correct pupil-teacher ratio, the Taoiseach saw the need for an administrative principal in the school and enabled the creation of this position. I understand circumstances have changed and I therefore ask the Minister for Education and Science to do as Deputy Upton suggested, that is, meet the Christian Brothers, board of management and parents of the children and visit the school to see for herself the case that exists for having an administrative principal so the education the Christian Brothers want to give to the children can be continued in the school.

I pay tribute to the parents of the children in the school. Many are lone parents and have difficulties parents in more affluent areas would not experience, yet they were able to come together, hold a meeting, take the initiative, protest and articulate their horror and disgust over the proposed closure. They have done this in a manner that has made all their public representatives proud. I would like support to be given to these parents and particularly to their children so that St. Michael's CBS can continue to operate.

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