asked the Minister for Education if further representations have been made to him by local organisations to have Granard Church of Ireland national school, County Longford, maintained; if he is aware that, at the request of the parents of the children attending the school and of the parishioners, the reverend manager has retained the teacher, and kept the school open for the month of June, and that it is now closed for the summer holidays; and if he will now sanction the maintenance of the school, and pay the teacher for the past month's service and for the future so long as the present number of pupils attend the school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Granard (Longford) School.
32.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 28th May, 1963, in regard to this case. There is nothing in the representations which have been made to me in the meantime which would warrant the restoration of grants to this school.
Is the Minister aware that since that date the number of children attending has increased considerably—that there has been an increase of more than 100 per cent in the number of children now attending the school—and that there is every indication the numbers will increase still further? Has the Minister taken that change in circumstances into consideration?
There were four children. Recently, one came of age to go to school which made it five in April. In June, there was what might be described as an artificial increase. Two children, normally resident in Glasgow, came to the school and one child normally resident in another school area came to the school. I do not think this is good reason to——
Is the Minister aware that these children are now permanently resident in the school area and therefore that the average number he requires—seven—is now available? Is he further aware that this school now has been 150 years in operation and it is a serious matter to close down a section of a school of that particular type when there are children available for it? Is the Minister aware that the Reverend Manager did apparently agree that there was not the number available but that, since then, they have become available and that there are eight children now available to attend the school permanently?
Is it not the glory of our system of national education that it is a sectarian system and that we believe in providing religious minorities with a school managed in their religious faith where circumstances allow a demand for it? Is it not true that in that area now there are eight Protestant children who desire to be educated in a Protestant school? Ought we not to lean backwards to ensure that they will have that opportunity if their parents so desire?
I lean so far backwards in these cases that sometimes I am in danger of falling over.
A good fault.
In this school, one of the children is from another school district; two are from Glasgow, and there is no question of their not getting schooling. They will get transport to a school of their own denomination.
How many miles?
Children travel to school all over Ireland.
This school is located quite convenient to the children who are pupils of it.
The proposal that they should have to get up earlier in the morning to be transported miles is unreasonable. I respectfully suggest that the Minister should reconsider the whole matter, in view of the changed circumstances that there are now sufficient children to warrant keeping the school opened.
It cannot do any harm to look at it again and if there are eight children available, give them the school.
Or seven.
I have been looking at this several times. For two years, there have not been enough. Then, for the month of June this year, after the grants were withdrawn, suddenly there appeared children—two from another country and one from another school district.
The children from Glasgow went there recently. They are Irish citizens who emigrated, unfortunately, like a lot of other people.
And they are welcome back.
We are delighted to know they are back.
Will the Minister say that if he is persuaded there are eight children available for permanent education in this school, he will review the matter in the light of that?
I know there are not, but if I could be persuaded there are, I would be agreeable.