Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

St. Thomas's school in Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, provides junior and senior cycle education for boys from the travelling community. It has been in existence for more than 30 years and currently has 33 students enrolled. Significantly, two pupils will do the leaving certificate examinations this year, three pupils are in fifth year and five pupils who will do the junior certificate examinations in June intend to progress to the leaving certificate. The patron of the school is the Archdiocese of Dublin.

The problem is that the Department of Education and Skills abruptly informed the school in recent days that it must close at the end of the current academic year, that is, in slightly more than one month from now. This decision has shocked school management and staff and students and their parents. I am aware that there have been problems in the school and the Department has carried out a number of inspections over the years. Management and staff strongly believe the Department has consistently failed to engage with them to alleviate any ongoing concerns. For example, a request for an additional teacher to facilitate leaving certificate students was consistently stonewalled by the Department.

I am aware from my time in the Department that inclusion and integration are now key policies in respect of Traveller education. However, St. Thomas's school is unique and still has an important role to play in the context of overall policy objectives.

The trust of parents is important and the parents of the pupils of St. Thomas's school want to send their children to the school. They have a real concern that their children will not survive in a mainstream school. They will certainly not continue to do the leaving certificate examinations if the Department's decision is implemented. The Department should show flexibility in its efforts to achieve overall integration. A leaving certificate qualification is a passport to a better life. While Youthreach is an option, if the students of St. Thomas's school wish to progress to the leaving certificate using the current model, they should be encouraged to do so. They will not enrol in a mainstream school. They are vulnerable and need more time to make the adjustment. I fear most of them will drop out of the system.

I know from first-hand experience the difficulties Travellers face in a mainstream school. I am worried about the effect the Department's sudden decision will have on students who will sit State examinations in June. It is disruptive and unsettling for them and all the other students in the school.

I visited St. Thomas's school last Friday where I met the principal, teachers, parents and pupils. As it happens, some of the students were doing practical examinations as part of the junior certificate home economics examination. I was very impressed with what I saw. Serious concerns were expressed and teachers and special needs assistants are also worried about their future. This issue that will have to be worked out separately.

I was surprised to learn that no formal face-to-face meetings had taken place between representatives of the school and departmental officials to work through problems. St. Thomas's school was given short notice to close its doors. As it is located in the Minister's constituency, I ask him at least to arrange a meeting between the school authorities and departmental officials to discuss these matters.

It is the Minister's constituency. Will he, at the very least, set up a meeting between the school authorities and departmental officials to discuss these matters? If the Department is determined to close the school, can it work out a plan to phase out the school over a number of years so all concerned have plenty of time to put in place alternative arrangements?

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