Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It is important for many areas of the country. I am well aware of the expansion in housing in the greater Dublin area and other places where no schools exist and new schools are wanted. As the Minister said, in some areas there is no link with any church or structures and there is clearly a need for a new system which will cover such areas. The VECs are well placed to take control of that issue in the context suggested by the Minister in the Bill.

It is not a major issue in a constituency such as Cavan-Monaghan where churches on all sides still have a major interest in schools and most of them have independent parent-led committees that do a great deal of work in the running of the schools, along with the teachers, or fundraising where it is needed. Many smaller schools have been fortunate enough to get devolved grants which meant that the committees run by the parents had to raise sizeable sums of money. It was a great system and transformed many of the smaller schools. I would like the issue to be re-examined and instigated again if at all possible.

The VEC schools have a proud record in my area, Cavan-Monaghan. When I consider the great work done in recent years by the current vocational education officer, Mr. Martin O'Brien, it is fantastic. The VEC in Monaghan has been given a lead role by the Taoiseach in a pilot scheme where it is building a new version of a college with a primary school and secondary school, both of which are gaelscoileanna, on the same site, which also has a theatre planned for it. A site is still available for another educational authority if necessary.

Mr. Martin O'Brien is the leader of the project and his ability is fantastic. He has led the reconstruction of Beech Hill, added classrooms and sports facilities in Ballybay Community College and added significant structures and facilities in the college for sports and woodwork. Additional land was purchased in Castleblaney for a much needed extension and he upgraded the existing building in Clones for a material technical class and woodwork. One of the biggest areas that he has provided for is the Tanagh Outdoor Pursuits Centre for which he now has the money and which will guarantee sport and recreation for the future. There are also new outreach centres there.

This shows what can be done by a VEC. However, there are questions over the State control of schools. One example of that is the Model School in Monaghan, one of the few model schools in the country. The Minister is its patron.

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