asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware that the Ballineen (Co. Cork) Female National School is being used to hold sittings of the District Court; whether the arrangement causes inconvenience to the children and teachers, and is detrimental to the education of the children, and whether he will recommend that some other arrangement will be made for the holding of the Court in some more suitable building?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALLINEEN (CORK) FEMALE N. SCHOOL.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I am aware that the District Court at Ballineen is held once a month in the place stated. I have not received any complaints as to the alleged inconvenience. It is the duty of the Cork County Council to provide accommodation for the Court; my function in the matter is, in effect, to accept the accommodation offered, if it is reasonably adequate, or, in the alternative, to abandon the Court, and the latter course would probably cause more inconvenience locally than does the occasional occupation of the school.
Mr. MURPHY
Might I ask the Minister is he aware that the average attendance of the school is going down, and that the children are leaving and going to another school within a mile of Ballineen in consequence of the Court being held there?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
That does not affect the statement made in answer to the Deputy's question that it is the duty of the County Council to provide accommodation; that our function in the matter is pretty much to accept the accommodation if it is reasonably adequate, or, in the alternative, to abandon the Court, and it is our opinion that the latter course would cause more inconvenience to the district.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Would the Minister say if the Court is held within ordinary school hours, and does it mean the school is closed on the particular day on which the Court is held?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I could not say. I am not sure.
Mr. MURPHY
Might I ask if there is sufficient accommodation in the Civic Guard Barrack for the holding of the Court? I am informed there is.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
There is an objection to holding the Court in a police barracks.