asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that in the Kinsealy and Balgriffin area of County Dublin there are about 40 children who have reached the school-going age, but have been unable to attend the local school for want of accommodation; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to provide temporary accommodation for these children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Accommodation (County Dublin).
The Kinsealy National School buildings are unsuitable and overcrowded and my Department is in correspondence with the manager with regard to the provision of a site for the erection of new schools.
I am having investigation made in regard to the statement of the Deputy that there are children of school-going age in the area who have been unable to attend the local school for want of accommodation. I observe that there is considerable space accommodation for additional pupils in neighbouring schools.
The neighbouring schools are two, three and four miles away, and you expect children of school-going age, children four or five years old, to walk that distance. The local school is unsuitable and I would like to know what provision the Minister will make to provide accommodation for those children?
Of course, if the schools are beyond the limits laid down in the School Attendance Act, then the pupils will not be compelled to attend them; but, as a matter of fact, one school is 2¾ miles away, another 2? miles away and a third 2? miles away. In each of these schools there is substantial accommodation available, I think. However, the whole matter is being inquired into.
Does the Minister not realise that it is unfair to ask toddlers of four and five years to walk 2? miles?
Twice a day.
Perhaps the Deputy will realise the difficulty of getting new school buildings erected under existing circumstances.
Surely if you can build cinemas you can build schools?
I am not building cinemas.
Some people are, and they seem to be better at their jobs than the Minister.