asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that a proposal was made about thirty-six years ago to erect a school at Gurthacoola, Drombane, Co. Tipperary, but was not proceeded with; and whether, in view of the fact that about 80 children from this area have to travel three or four miles on roads which are particularly bad in winter, to the nearest school, he will take steps to see that the building of a school is undertaken at Gurthacoola.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gurthacoola Educational Facilities.
My Department cannot find any record of a proposal to erect a school at Gurthacoola thirty-six years ago. I am not in a position to require that the building of a new school shall be undertaken in any district.
Where I am satisfied that the necessity for a school exists, a grant normally two-thirds of the expenditure may be made by my Department, under defined conditions, towards the cost of erecting a school on the application of the parish priest, local clergyman, or other person whom my Department would be prepared to recognise as patron or manager of a National School.
The parish priest who is manager of the National Schools in the district has been consulted in this case. He is of opinion that, as the school-going population will decline in number in the near future, expenditure on the erection of a new school building would not be warranted, and suggests that, owing to the existence of rights-of-way, Mass-paths and short-cuts for the children affected to the existing National Schools, the educational facilities afforded are reasonably sufficient. In the circumstances my Department is having further enquiry made in the matter.