Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Fitzgerald for raising this matter, as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the position with regard to the planned closure of Greendale community school in Kilbarrack.

Greendale community school was built in 1975 to accommodate no less than 800 pupils. The school expanded quickly to exceed its enrolment capacity. An extension to provide accommodation for up to 900 pupil places was, therefore, subsequently provided in the early 1980s. However, in line with more recent demographic changes in the area, the school is now continuously experiencing a steady decline in enrolments. Since 1996-97, for example, enrolment has declined by 50%, down from 449 students then to 215 students in the 2003-04 school year. Current enrolment trends at primary schools in the area indicate that this decline will continue.

The school made an application for major capital investment in 1999. A feasibility study commissioned by my Department on foot of this application estimated that an investment of €2.4 million would be required to address the remedial works necessary. In common with all applications for large-scale capital investment, an analysis of the long-term accommodation needs of the area where the school is located was carried out. From this analysis, it emerged that a general decline in enrolments had resulted in spare capacity of an estimated 2,300 places at post-primary level. In the circumstances, my Department did not consider that the level of capital investment required for Greendale community school was warranted. There was sufficient accommodation in the area to cater for all those seeking places. However, grant aid was made available to ensure immediate health and safety issues at the school were addressed. During this period, Greendale community school was developing its provision of self-funded adult education courses.

Subsequently, my Department held meetings with the trustees to discuss the future of the school because the evidence from primary school enrolments in the area strongly suggested that there would not be adequate pupil numbers in the locality to enable the school to regenerate. My Department was also concerned at the ability of the school to offer a broad and balanced curriculum given the relatively small number of day pupils enrolled. The trustees advised my Department in March 2004 that a decision had been taken to close the school in June 2007 and that there would be no intake of pupils in September 2005. Taking all of the circumstances into consideration, my Department concurred with the trustees' decision.

The further education section within my Department funds the provision of adult education and community education courses. Courses are usually delivered locally by vocational education committees. The general aim of adult education and community education courses given with departmental funding is to provide second-chance education for those who have left school without obtaining a leaving certificate and vocational-type courses such as the vocational training opportunities scheme, Youthreach and senior Traveller training centres, adult literacy and basic education. Self-funded night-time adult programmes are also offered.

The bulk of the provision in Greendale community school appears to be self-funded night-time adult education, rather than second-chance courses. The returns from the school for 2004-05 indicate 18,858 tuition hours, which would correlate to 800 to 1,000 adult education students. Courses on offer include FETAC-accredited business and IT-type provision, in addition to health and safety and work experience.

The school has received funding from my Department over the past number of years for places under the back to education initiative. In 2004, it received an allocation of €17,500 for 19 part-time back to education initiative participants. This year, it received an allocation of €20,000. The number of participants for the period from January to June 2005 was nine. Full participant numbers are not due to be returned until the end of the year. In 2005, some €8 million was allocated for community education through the vocational education committees. In addition, the back to education initiative was allocated some €10.87 million in 2004, accounting for 6,000 participants.

The City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee has an extensive number of venues on the north side of Dublin, including Killester College of Further Education and Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Raheny. The back to education initiative is also made available in a range of venues, including schools, community centres and family resource centres. When Greendale community school closes in 2007, ownership of the school property, which is currently vested in the trustees, will revert to my Department. In the period leading up to the closure of the school, my Department will consider all available options with regard to the future use of the school property.

With specific regard to adult education, my Department is aware of the existing community and adult education provision currently offered at Greendale community school and it will be working in partnership with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee to ensure this provision is continued in the context of the overall provision in the area.