asked the Minister for Education whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at a meeting of the Ballymanna branch of the County Galway Farmers Association and reported in the "Connaught Tribune" of October 27th, in which the conditions existing in the Ballymanna National School are described as a national disgrace, and wherein it is stated that 150 children are housed daily in a small stuffy room where accommodation exists for only 60, and whether he will state what steps his Department proposes to take to remedy this very unsatisfactory state of affairs.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALLYMANNA NATIONAL SCHOOL.
I have not seen the resolution referred to. The accommodation is for 60, the average daily attendance 100, and the mean between this average and the number on rolls 116. Some months ago steps were taken to prepare plans for the enlargement of this school so as to make three class-rooms available. When the plans are approved of, the Manager will be further communicated with.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Is the Minister aware that there is an attendance at the school roughly double that for which there is accommodation?
I have given the figures.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Is the Minister aware that it is over seventeen years since the question of the enlargement of this school was first considered?
I am not.
Mr. O'CONNELL
If the Minister looks up his records he will find that is so.
I am not doubting the Deputy's statement, but I was not asked that question.