Monasterevin school building
Deputies pressed for progress on the long-delayed new building for St. Paul’s secondary school in Monasterevin and described serious accommodation problems. The Education Minister said a legal issue had arisen over the site transfer but he would examine whether the matter could be expedited.
Page 93 of A Programme for Partnership Government features a clear commitment to delivering a significant school capital investment programme. St. Paul's secondary school in Monasterevin is at the top of the six-year schools building list. The school has been waiting for 16 years for a new building. As the Ceann Comhairle will be well aware, the project has encountered numerous delays for a variety of reasons. The most recent of these has been caused by an issue with the new site. Last night, it was made clear at a public meeting that the delay in delivering the new school is causing problems with accommodating pupils. The local Catholic Young Men's Society, CYMS, and scouts' den are being used for some school activities. Students, parents and staff deserve better. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to intervene to try to clear the impasse, which appears to have arisen between the solicitors in the Department and the solicitors for the site vendor, in order that the school can be delivered in 2020 in accordance with commitments given.
Comment on this
I attended the same public meeting last night and it was harrowing to listen to students, teachers and parents. It is shocking that the school has only two toilet cubicles for 207 boys. The number of boys is set to increase to 256 in September. Teachers do not have a staff room and must correct copies and school work in their cars. The number of students has doubled since 2006 and the new building has been on the cards for 17 years. A problem has arisen with the transfer of ownership of the site to the Department. I urge the Taoiseach and Minister for Education and Skills to ensure the necessary action is taken on behalf of the school community of Monasterevin. The school should not have to endure more months or years of delay.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputies for raising this issue on which I will revert to them with a full reply. My understanding is that a legal issue has arisen between the Chief State Solicitor representing the Department and the vendors of the site. However, I will find out whether we can expedite the matter. If legal issues have arisen, they may have to be worked through but perhaps we can find solutions.