asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the need for a boys' and girls' school in Malahide in view of the fact that existing accommodation is inadequate; and, if so, whether he will consider taking steps towards having suitable schools provided there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Malahide Schools.
I am aware of the need for the replacement of the existing Malahide Boys' National School by a new school. The Department has been in correspondence with the manager in the matter for a considerable time and a suitable site for a new school has been offered by the manager. The local contribution to be provided in the case and certain issues in connection with the leasing of the site have, however, still to be settled before the Department will be in a position to sanction a grant towards the cost of the new school. Every effort will be made to have the case brought to issue as soon as possible.
The accommodation in the Malahide Girls' National School is adequate for the attendance, and I am advised that the premises are in reasonably good condition. It is not proposed, therefore, to replace this school by a new school.
The infants' school is overcrowded and investigations are being made with a view to having adequate accommodation provided for the pupils of this school.
asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that a secondary school is needed in the Malahide area and that great numbers of children from Malahide and adjoining localities must travel to Dublin for secondary education; and, if so, whether he will ensure that a suitable secondary school is provided in the area at an early date.
The Department of Education does not provide secondary schools or take the initiative in establishing them. These schools are invariably set up by private enterprise and the Department plays no part in any such undertaking until a school has been actually established and official recognition has been applied for.
New secondary schools for which official recognition is applied and which are found on inspection to fulfil the Department's requirements and to comply with the regulations are accorded financial assistance on the basis prescribed for secondary schools generally.
In these circumstances, and assuming that the case regarding the need for a secondary school in the Malahide district is correctly represented in the Deputy's question, it is clear that action in the matter must come, in the first instance, from some source other than the Department.