asked the Minister for Education if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take towards the immediate reopening of the national school at Loorha, Dunmore, County Galway, whereby the present continuing hardship and inconvenience to the local schoolchildren may be avoided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loorha National School.
No representations have recently been made to my Department in regard to the reopening of Loorha National School. Representations were made in 1948 following the closing of the school, as a result of which it was ascertained that all the children who had been attending the school lived within a reasonable distance of other national schools in the district. It was not, therefore, considered necessary to have a new school provided to replace the old building which was in a very bad condition.
Is the Minister aware that these children have to travel across mountain and bog in order to obtain an education and that there is, therefore, a case to be made for the reopening of the school in question?
A question was asked some time since in regard to the same school and my predecessor offered to make a special examination. Having made that special examination, he decided to take no action. I do not think the situation has changed.
In the light of what I have stated, would the Minister review the situation?
I will.