Dáil debates

Tuesday, 8 November 2005

Priority Questions.

Schools Building Projects.

2:30 pm

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the site acquisition for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the need for a permanent school building; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this school will be homeless from June 2006 unless a permanent site and building are acquired; if this project is included in the 2005-06 capital programme owing to the imminent deadline for vacation of the present site and the need for teachers and pupils to be relocated to a new school site or building taking into account the pressing deadline of June 2006; the measures which have been taken by her on this project; the stage the Office of Public Works is at with its inquiries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32981/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been actively pursuing the acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the construction of a permanent building for the school referred to by the Deputy. Nine sites were initially under consideration by the OPW acting on behalf of my Department. Detailed reports were received on three of these earlier this year. The report identified one of the sites as being the most suitable, subject to a geotechnical survey. Following a favourable report, negotiations were initiated with the owners, the local authority. My Department has concluded these discussions and I understand the issue will be on the agenda of a forthcoming council meeting. Upon legal finalisation of the site acquisition, my Department will seek a fast-track solution to procurement of the school building.

As the board and patron are already aware, the provision of interim accommodation remains the responsibility of the school authorities until such time as a permanent solution is provided. Officials in my Department are willing to work with the school authorities in their efforts to address the interim solution and have communicated recently with the school authority in that regard.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for her very clear answer. I am glad to hear there is a site and that the situation is finalised. Will this new school be included in the schools programme for 2006? Otherwise, there will be no alternative to the street for these children because the lease will expire next May and is not renewable, although the owner will allow the school to remain until June.

Will these gaelscoil students face similar circumstances to the 700 illiterate students who are on the streets because the Minister left County Mayo VEC with a funding shortfall of €50,000? Newspapers such as the Mayo Echo are double Dutch to people who cannot read. Will the Minister provide €50,000 to County Mayo VEC so that these people may continue to take literacy courses? If they cannot continue, they will face life sentences in terms of being unable to read.

Will the Minister include the gaelscoil in Westport in the 2006 Estimates? If she does not, its pupils will not have a school. The five prefabs that comprise their current premises are a health and safety hazard. The Minister said that once a site has been secured she will take steps to ensure that a new school is built. Will the Minister ensure that it will be included in the 2006 schools building programme so that the children will not be on the street and dependant on the VEC? Will the Minister provide the €50,000 needed by the VEC for illiterate students?

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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While the issues of the VEC and illiteracy do not pertain to the question in hand, the VEC in County Mayo was given its allocation and I am surprised it would choose to allow the most vulnerable to suffer. The Deputy may wish to take that matter up with the VEC.

With regard to Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, I have said that we will progress the school building once a site is acquired. Naturally, because the school must leave its temporary accommodation next year, that will become a priority. A number of ways are available to us in terms of expediting the building of schools. Acquisition of a site was the main hindrance in this process but I understand that matter will be formally cleared shortly.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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County Mayo VEC has done magnificent work and has done more than any other VEC to ensure that the maximum numbers of students attend. However, it has a shortfall of €50,000. Can the Minister see a way to providing it with these funds?

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is up to the VEC to work within the resources it has been given. The Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, already spoke to this matter on the Adjournment Debate. The resources have been provided and the VEC must decide how to allocate them.