asked the Minister for Education whether the Greenmount Industrial School band has been disbanded as a result of the closing down of the Industrial School; and if there are any proposals for the re-formation of the band in any other institute of a similar nature in Cork City or County
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Greenmount Industrial School, Cork.
13.
The Greenmount Industrial School band has been dispersed as a result of the closing down of the school and, so far, I am not aware of any proposal for its re-formation.
Would the Minister consider reforming the band of the Industrial School at Salthill, Galway?
It is entirely a matter for the conductors of any particular school to form a band. I have no control over the matter.
14.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state the circumstances under which it became necessary to close down Greenmount Industrial School, Cork, on 31st March, 1959; and if he will give details of the average number of boys in the institute for each of the three years prior to the close down, and the number on 31st March, 1959; and details of the manner in which the boys were dispersed upon the closing down of the institute, and of the manner in which Cork City and County will be catered for in this respect in future.
The conductors of this institution desired to resign the Certificate under which it was recognised as an Industrial School and I had no option but to accede to their request.
The average number of boys in the school for each of the last three years ending 31st March was 136, 130 and 129 respectively. The number of boys in the school on 31st March, 1959, was 127 and these boys have been dispersed as follows:—
|
Discharged |
14 |
|
Transferred to Upton Industrial School |
97 |
|
Transferred to Artane Industrial School |
9 |
|
Transferred to Tralee Industrial School |
4 |
|
Transferred to Glin Industrial School |
3 |
|
127 |
It is intended that Upton Industrial School will serve the needs of Cork City and County in the matter of industrial school accommodation formerly provided by Greenmount and Upton.
Is the Minister aware that these children were dispersed without any prior discussion with their parents and that, in fact, the parents were not aware that the children had been removed from the industrial school to other industrial schools until after the dispersal had taken place?
I understand that is the situation but that the conductors of the school did so for what they considered good and sufficient reason and that there was no intention whatever to ignore parental rights or to disregard their interests. They did so in the best interests of the management and conduct of the school.
Is the Minister aware that, in fact, the interests of the parents were ignored and that the promoters of this industrial school knew that they were ignoring the rights of the parents and, without any prior discussion or notice to them, removed the children and does he approve of that?
I think it ought to be made clear that they acted strictly within their rights and within the terms of the Children Act, 1908, which governs the conduct of industrial schools.
Does the Minister agree that it is a very bad precedent in such matters and would he indicate that if any further industrial schools are being dispersed this precedent should not be followed?
That seems to be a separate matter.
It is very unlikely that it will arise again, I am sure.