Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leas-Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue on the provision of a new school at Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, County Cork. Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin is an excellent school which is operation for over 20 years. It is a testimony to the work that has been put in by the staff, management, the parents and pupils of the school. Unfortunately, the building in which the school is currently housed has outgrown its usefulness. What are the plans to ensure that a new Gaelscoil is built in Ballincollig? This has been the subject of an ongoing debate between the education partners in the school and the Department of Education and Science.

The partners are quite concerned about the lack of facilities in the school. There is a major concern regarding the safety of children as the school is next to a busy main road and another congested road on an adjoining housing estate. The building is not suitable for disabled children or wheelchair usage. At this stage, every school in the country should be wheelchair accessible. The parking facilities adjacent to the school are very poor and parking for parents at busy periods causes some disruption to the nearby residents. There is no gymnasium or hall which can be used as a gymnasium. There is an almost total lack of learning support in the school. The external play area is very confined and far from ideal due to the steep sloping nature of the small site on which the school is situated. As the external playing area is so small, break time is divided up between lunch and play to allow the children more space. It is the only school I have visited that has to keep children in during break time due to lack of room in the playground.

There are no facilities on the school grounds for nature studies. The lack of toilet facilities in the classrooms cause a particular problem for children in the junior classes. Many of the toilets are accessible directly off the open corridors and not in their own rooms. The corridors in the school are very narrow and lead to a congested atmosphere in the school at times. The school building is rented and there has always been a fear that the landlord may not choose to renew lease when the current lease expires.

The Department needs to ensure that a new facility is provided in Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin. The latest extension was built with a view to the rooms being let out individually when the building would no longer be used as a school. It was obviously not designed as a school building. The school is located in a densely residential area and that causes problems for local residents. We need clarification from the Department of Education and Science to ensure that a new building is provided to Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, which has provided an excellent service over the last 20 years. I congratulate all the school partners in Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin for their excellent working relationship and their great school. I ask the Minister of State to outline the plans, if any, of the Department of Education and Science for this school.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the proposals of the Department of Education and Science on the provision of a new school building for Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin, Ballincollig, County Cork. I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, who is unable to attend the House this evening.

The Government decision to close the Murphy barracks complex in Ballincollig was seen by the Department as an excellent opportunity to acquire a suitable site on which to provide permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin. Following this decision, it was agreed that an area of approximately 1.7 acres would be provided on which to build a new school building for the Gaelscoil. The school would also have immediate access to adjacent playing fields. Contract documents for the transfer of ownership of the site were forwarded to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. However, since then a number of issues have arisen.

The map included in the contract documentation shows that there are wayleaves crossing the site which would have the impact of significantly reducing the area available on which to build. These wayleaves were not flagged originally when the site was reserved for the Department of Education and Science. In addition, a local authority road bordering part of the site may be widened to facilitate the overall development of the barracks and could result in further reducing the amount of land available for the proposed school building.

Officials at the Department of Education and Science have written to the local authority seeking clarification of the issues raised above. The question of the acquisition of the site will be addressed immediately on receipt of a response from the local authority.

The Department is acutely aware of the need to provide permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin, as has been borne out comprehensively by the Minister, Deputy Martin, in his submission this evening. The Department is aware of the need to provide accommodation for the Gaelscoil and is determined to progress the issue as a matter of urgency.

I assure Deputy Moynihan that I have listened to the case he made and noted the points raised. I will communicate his views directly to the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, at the first available opportunity, which will possibly be tomorrow morning.