asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that an intimation was conveyed from his Department to the reverend manager that grants would be withdrawn in respect of Long Island National School, Schull, County Cork, from the 31st December, 1944; whether, in fact, the grants have been so withdrawn; and, if so, whether he is aware that Long Island served by the school referred to contains a population of 98 persons, and that it will be impossible to have the children resident on the island sent to school on the mainland; and if he will state what arrangements he proposes to make for the education of the children concerned.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Long Island National School.
I am aware that the manager of Long Island National School, Schull, County Cork, was notified by my Department that grants would be withdrawn from the school from the 31st December, 1944, as the average attendance at the school was less than seven units for each of the calendar years 1943 and 1944 and, in normal circumstances, aid may not be continued to such a school, under my Department's regulations. On further consideration of the special conditions obtaining in this case, my Department is, however, prepared to pay a contribution of £75 per annum towards the salary of a teacher in the school after 31st December, 1944, so long as the average attendance does not fall below five units for four consecutive quarters.