asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the National School at Maam Cross, Co. Galway, is in such a bad state of repair that it is a source of danger to the health of the children attending school; whether an application has been received from the residents in the locality for a grant to enable a new school to be erected, and whether, under the circumstances, the Department is prepared to consider favourably such application.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MAAM CROSS NATIONAL SCHOOL.
An application has been received from the residents in the locality for the provision of a new school at Maam Cross in view of the unsatisfactory condition of the existing schoolhouse (Shindilla National School). The attendance at the school is very small, the average for last year having been only 11. In 1922 the question of the erection of a new schoolhouse was investigated, but it then appeared that, having regard to the sparse population of the district and to the absence of the likelihood of new families settling in the locality, the prospect of the school being permanently required was very uncertain. In the circumstances it was not considered that a grant for the building of a new schoolhouse would be warranted.
In view of the representations made by local parties the case is being further considered.