asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that Bunglash National School, Glencar, County Kerry, has been without an assistant teacher for 16 months out of the past 12 years and that, due to the fact that there is at present no assistant teacher, parents have withdrawn their younger children from the school and for that reason are being threatened with prosecution; and, if so, whether he will state when it is proposed to fill the vacancy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bunglash National School (Kerry).
I am aware that there has been considerable difficulty in obtaining the services of a fully-qualified junior assistant mistress to fill the vacancy in Bunglash National School, and representations in the matter have been received by me from the parents of some of the school children.
An unqualified teacher was exceptionally recognised as junior assistant mistress in the school for a short period, and my Department is at present in communication with the reverend manager of the school with a view to securing the services of a fully-qualified teacher at an early date.
Is the Minister aware that the Garda authorities have intimated to parents arising out of the non-attendance of their children at school that they are liable to prosecution? Will he say if anything can be done to postpone the activities of the Gardaí in this respect pending the appointment of a school teacher?
I would have nothing to do with that, on the one hand; and, on the other, I would not be in a position to say what attitude the district justice would take if that excuse were given.