Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise this matter once again. It seems to be my perennial issue. This is the 14th year Gaelscoil Bharra, Cabra, has been based in prefabs. Those provided are not the best and have the usual problems of being too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer. The rooms are untidy and difficult to maintain and the toilets are far from satisfactory. Some of the pupils who have endured these conditions are now in college, which shows the length of time the school has been confined to prefabs.

When the school was originally established, it fulfilled all the Department's conditions for permanent accommodation. It was promised accommodation by a former Taoiseach at every election but it was never delivered. The Department lost the application for four years and other unfortunate circumstances such as locating a site surrounded the school's accommodation needs.

Recently progress was made in the acquisition of a site and that land, currently being leased by Dublin City Council to the Naomh Fionnbarra GAA club, will be extended to allow a school to be built. Has there been a transfer of title? Has the Department prepared any planning applications? Has there been any consultation with the school's staff, board of management and parents on the design plans for the new buildings? It was hoped the building could be used for extra-curricular activities in the community. More important, considering the limits on capital spending, will funding be available for its construction?

This matter has gone on for far too long. It is unfair to the children and the community. We want this intolerable situation to be rectified for once and for all.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Mary Coughlan. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me an opportunity to outline to the Dáil the process being utilised to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary level in all parts of the country.

The forward planning section of the Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection, with reference to recent schools' enrolment data.

School accommodation requirements in Dublin 7 have been considered as part of this detailed study. The indicators are that approximately 12 additional primary classrooms may be required across that area to cater for increased enrolments up to the school year 2014-15. The Department is considering options to meet the deficit identified.

Turning to the specific primary school referred to by the Deputy - Gaelscoil Bharra, Cabra, Dublin 7 - the Department has agreed, in principle, a design solution for Gaelscoil Bharra subject to securing the necessary planning consent from the planning authority. St. Finbarr's GAA Club is agreeable, in principle, to surrendering its interest in the relevant land-holding to facilitate the proposed design solution. The Department has also received permission from the GAA club to apply for planning permission for the school. The Department will now commence working up this planning application. The progression of the accompanying building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school buildings generally.

I am familiar with the school as my niece is a pupil there. My brother has been lobbying me on this issue and I am aware of the urgent situation that surrounds it. Therefore we will be doing everything we can in this regard. I wish to thank the Deputy once again for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the steps we are taking on this matter.