Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Gabhaim buíochas as an seans a bheith agam an t-ábhar seo a phlé. Tá mé ag caint faoin ghéarghá le freagra dearfach ar iarratas an chomhairle bainistíochta Gaelscoil Dara, An Rinn Mhór, cathair na Gaillimhe. An rud atá fíor-phráinneach anois ná buan-chóiríocht a chur ar fáil don scoil. Tá an scoil ann le 21 bliain agus ag an phointe seo, fiú go bhfuil a lán litreacha curtha go dtí an Roinn, níl sé soiléir an bhfuil suíomh aimsithe aici, cá bhfuil an suíomh aimsithe, cé mhéid acra atá ag baint leis agus cén toradh a bhí ar na cainteanna idir an Roinn agus na Bráithre Carthanachta.

Tá mé ag cur na gceisteanna seo toisc go bhfuil na tuismitheoirí, múinteoirí agus na daltaí ag cur suas le caighdeán scolaíochta nach bhfuil ceart le níos mó ná 20 bliain. Tá freagra dearfach ag teastáil ón bhord bainistíochta, ón phríomhoide, ó na múinteoirí agus ó na tuismitheoirí ar na nithe a luaigh mé. Cathain a bheidh an suíomh aimsithe? Cé mhéad acra atá ag baint leis? An bhfuil sé aimsithe ag an Roinn go bhfuil le suíomh trí acra a oireann do 16 múinteoir nó an bhfuil suíomh níos lú ná sin i gceist?

I raise this matter because it concerns Gaelscoil Dara. Its pupils have put up with temporary accommodation for 22 years. The parents, teachers, children and board of management should not have to wait any longer for an answer to definite questions. What potential sites in Galway were examined by the Department of Education and Science? What conclusions did it draw, what decisions did it arrive at, what decisions remain to be taken and what is the size of the site under discussion? Is it three acres and is it suitable for 16 teachers? Is it less than three acres? Where is it located? Can the board of management have access to the maps and details of the site under discussion? When will the final decision be taken in respect of this necessary school?

What will happen if, for example, more than one site has been examined? Mention has been made of the site held by the Brothers of Charity. If another site is being examined, such as the site owned by the Galway Institute of Technology, what is the position in respect of both sites, their scale and the timescale for delivery? If there are any further technical difficulties, as has been mentioned in correspondence about this school, what are they? When can we look forward to their resolution? This matter is of the utmost urgency. It has dragged on for almost all of my years as a Deputy representing Galway West. It concerns the provision of a proper and permanent home for this gaelscoil, which makes such an outstanding contribution to language, culture and basic education in Galway city.

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