Dáil debates

Wednesday, 27 June 2007

Adjournment Debate

Schools Building Projects.

9:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I join my colleagues in congratulating Deputy Howlin on his recent election to the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I also thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to address this issue tonight. It concerns an emerging crisis in Dublin 15 at both primary and secondary level. I particularly want to discuss the secondary school crisis in Castleknock, a suburb of Dublin with a population of 40,000 and only one secondary school. It is clear from the numbers attending the primary schools within the catchment area that by 2009 the 210 places available in the school each year will not be adequate. They are already not adequate but by 2009 at least 90 local children will be turned away from their local school. The direct responsibility for this lies with Fianna Fáil and, in particular, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, and the Minister for Transport and the Marine, Deputy Dempsey, who, as recently as last year, told us in written answers that an additional school was not needed in Castleknock. As a result of those answers, attempts by me and other councillors to reserve a site in the Fingal county development plan were thwarted. I hope the Minister of State, in his response tonight, treats this issue with respect. I do not want to hear about Hansfield, Tyrellstown or Phibblestown, any more than I want to hear about schools in counties Westmeath, Kilkenny and Carlow. I hope he will address directly the secondary school crisis in Castleknock.

I have four simple questions which I hope the Minister of State will answer. First, does the Department accept its responsibility for allowing this crisis to develop? Second, has it acquired a site and, in particular, entered negotiations with Castleknock College, the local fee-paying school, with regard to acquiring a site? Third, will the Minister commit to establishing a new school, even if it has to be on a temporary site, by 2009, regardless of whether a site can be acquired? Fourth, will the Minister commit to appointing a provisional board for the new school before the end of the year?

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the actions being taken by the Department of Education and Science to address the post-primary school accommodation needs of the Dublin 15 area. The Department is conscious that Dublin 15 is one of the most rapidly developing areas in the country and, as a result, there has been a marked increase in the demand for primary school places in the area. A range of extra primary school accommodation has or is being put in place to address this need. The knock-on effect of this development is expected to start manifesting itself at post-primary level from 2008 onwards. There is currently spare capacity in two post-primary schools in the Dublin 15 area, namely, Riversdale community college with 150 spare places and Blakestown community school with 350 spare places. In the circumstances, the Department is satisfied that there are sufficient places to cater for needs in the short term, even though every pupil may not secure a place in the school of first choice.

For the medium term, the Department is advancing plans to make 4,000 extra post-primary places available in the Dublin 15 area. It has already given the go-ahead for the delivery of a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school in Phibblestown. This new school will be delivered, with new schools for the rapidly expanding areas of Donabate and Laytown, under a design and build contract. The Department is working with the relevant parties on the delivery of these projects within the earliest possible timeframe. It has also reserved a site for post-primary provision in the Tyrrelstown area of Dublin 15. It is likely that this school will also be a 1,000 pupil facility. The educational reservation in the Hansfield strategic development zone also allows for the development of a post-primary school for up to 1,000 pupils. A project manager has recently been appointed to oversee the development of educational provision on this site.

With regard to Castleknock specifically, the Department is working closely with Fingal County Council to identify a site for the development of a new post-primary school. Once acquired, a timeline can be set for the delivery of a building. Consideration will also be given to an early start-up of the new school once the Department is satisfied that the use of all other accommodation in the area is being maximised.

In the coming years the Department will be delivering four new post-primary schools in the Dublin 15 area. Apart from the considerable extra primary provision also being made, this will represent a massive and unprecedented capital investment in the area. The Department is keenly aware of the need to deliver this infrastructure in line with demand and is working assiduously to achieve this. It will also continue to keep the situation in the area under review and to work with the local authority to ensure any other emerging needs are addressed as quickly as possible.

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter in the House.

The Dáil adjourned at 10.20 p.m. until10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 28 June 2007.