asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that there is a large number of children now resident in the North Crumlin new housing areas who are not attending school owing to the want of a school in the district: that SS. Michael and John's Schools, Lower Exchange Street, have accommodation for 100 children between the ages of four and 14 years, and whether he will arrange bus transport for the children to these schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Accommodation in Dublin.
The information before my Department indicates that there is available accommodation in schools in the neighbourhood for children between six and 14 years of age who are not attending school at present. I am not prepared to arrange for bus transport in the circumstances.
Can the Minister state where are the schools to which he refers?
There are two schools at present within 1½ miles of them, and a number of other schools some further distance away. The Department have made inquiries into this matter, and we are satisfied that the accommodation is available.
Has the Minister made any inquiries as to how many children in that area are absent from school?
Yes, we have made inquiries, and the number is about 300.
Is it right that there should be 300 children away from school while there is vacant school accommodation for them at Lower Exchange Street?
The point is that the State is not going to incur the cost of providing transport for children into the city if, within the normal distance which children are expected to travel, there is school accommodation available. If the Deputy can show me that the accommodation is not available, then the matter will have to be considered, but the information at my disposal is that the accommodation is available.
My information is that there is no accommodation, and that there are hundreds of children in that area not attending school, while there is accommodation for them in certain parts of the city. It is only a matter of giving them an opportunity of getting to these schools.
The Deputy ought to encourage children to go to school and not encourage cither children or parents in the belief that it is the duty of the State to provide transport for them when accommodation is available for them in their own neighbourhood.
I want to deny that assertion made by the Minister. He knows quite well that in the City of Dublin there is not sufficient accommodation, and that schools are overcrowded in most parts.
The Deputy is guilty of a mis-statement in suggesting that I have been guilty of an untruth. I have told the House that there is accommodation available, and I can give the Deputy the particulars if he wishes to have them.
The Minister asserted that I was encouraging children not to go to school, when I simply want to see that provision is made for their attendance at school.
Would the Minister say if, in this matter, he has made any attempt to put the provisions of the Compulsory School Attendance Act into operation?
Steps are being taken.