David Norris (Independent)

This matter is about Drumnigh Montessori school, in the suburbs of Dublin. The school has been operating for the past 45 years. It has been extremely successful but the school is experiencing difficulties. It has two classes dealing with children aged three to six and one for children aged six to nine. The school has been in existence since 1962. It has occupied premises in various locations over the years including Malahide, Baldoyle, Portmarnock and Raheny. Currently, the school leases three classrooms from St. Colmcille's school in Donaghmede but it has a problem in that it has been asked to vacate those premises.

One of the difficulties is that of recognition. I ask the Minister to consider proper recognition of Montessori schools. I am aware the Minister for Finance plays a role in that because he holds the purse strings, and very effectively too, but it is his colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, a decent, humane woman, who is centrally involved in this matter. I am sure she would agree with me, particularly if the Minister were able to tell her that this is, as she possibly knows already, the centenary of the opening of the first Montessori school, Casa dei Bambini, in Italy. It would be a remarkable and appropriate gesture by the Government to mark this international centenary of a great educational movement by recognising for the first time the work done by these schools. The teachers hold certificates from the Association of Montessori in Ireland, AMI, and that qualification is recognised.

The Minister for Finance is a decent man who comes from the same bit of bog as my maternal ancestors. I always like dealing with a midlands man and one who is practical and sensible. As Minister for Finance he must guard the country's finances carefully but recognition of the school will not cause immense problems in that regard because it involves a relatively small number of schools. Only eight Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) primary schools in Ireland teach six to nine year olds and only one teaches children up to the age of 12. There is a small number of St. Nicholas Montessori schools, with which the AMI is allied, and the Montessori Education Centre, which is almost directly opposite my house in North Great George's Street and does very good work. There will not be a great drain on the Exchequer and it could be even helpful.

Montessori schools are very valuable in educational terms because children are encouraged to learn at their own pace through self-discovery and project work. The primary curriculum is completely covered by the Montessori method and the standards of all subjects, including Irish, are equal to that in national schools. One of the initial hesitations about Montessori schools was that they did not teach Irish but now they do.

Montessori schools provide very valuable assistance because there are overcrowded schools all over the country in huge new residential developments. The Montessori education movement can take some of the strain from the school system, particularly in the area to which I refer, where there has been substantial housing development, as the Minister knows. One only has to fly over Baldoyle, Portmarnock or Malahide to see the enormous sprawl. There is tremendous pressure on school places which the Montessori system could play some role in relieving.

Developers are obliged to make provision for community needs in new residential zones and will provide school buildings but can do so only for recognised schools, which is another reason these schools should be recognised. The principal of St. Colmcille's school, which has been very helpful to Drumnigh school, has made it aware that its accommodation might not be available after this year. The school has made various heroic efforts to find alternative accommodation but has not been successful. I wish to record my admiration for the fact that Drumnigh Montessori primary school is run by a volunteer board of management, comprising parents of the children at the school.

This year is the centenary of Montessori and the opening of the Casa dei Bambini in Italy. The school now teaches Irish and its teachers have recognised qualifications. It can help ease the considerable pressure from residential development in the area and will be provided with facilities by the developers if it is recognised. I know this is not the Minister's particular area but, as I have already indicated, there is a financial angle and I hope I have been able to demonstrate that, far from being a drain on the Exchequer, recognition of such schools can actually prove cost-effective.

I know the Minister will reply with a prepared script but I hope he will draw the matter to the attention of the Minister for Education and Science. I am glad to see he is nodding because the Minister for Education and Science is well-motivated and, like the Minister for Finance, able, gifted and decent. I hope she will be able to consider it and to meet with a delegation to discuss the matter. We must give recognition to alternative educational methods which have proved themselves by the production of excellent, well-rounded children.