asked the Minister for Education if he will state in regard to national schools in the city of Dublin in respect of the year 1963-64 the total number of new pupils enrolled, and the number of pupils who left such schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin National School Pupils.
14.
Mr. Ryan
The statistics prepared for national schools relate to standards and to the number of pupils in each standard. They do not show the number of pupils enrolled for the first time or the number of pupils who leave. I am accordingly not in a position to furnish the information sought by the Deputy.
Mr. Ryan
Surely, it should not be beyond the capacity of the Department to give the figures of pupils in first standard in any year and in the last standard in any year? Would the Minister give those figures?
If the Deputy will put down a question along those lines, I am sure the Minister will endeavour to supply the information.
15.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Education the steps taken by his Department to ascertain the number and location of national schools in Dublin city having more than fifty children per junior infant class seeking admission to such schools this year; and when an estimate was made of the number of children seeking admission to such schools.
My Department's inspectors carried out a survey in national schools in the Dublin city area during January-February period with a view to the elimination of classes of more than 50 pupils. Where it was found necessary, for that purpose, to arrange to have additional classroom accommodation provided regard was had to the estimated number of children in the school district who would be seeking admission in July next.
Mr. Ryan
Where the Department ascertain that the number of pupils seeking admission would be in excess of 50 in the junior class, what steps can the Department take, where the local school manager is unwilling to make a contribution towards the cost of the prefabricated schoolroom?
That seems to be an entirely separate matter.
The question concerns estimates of the number of pupils who will require admission.
Mr. Ryan
Are we to understand that this estimate was made with no object in view? Surely it was made to ascertain what accommodation would be needed?
Yes, with a view to the provision of that accommodation by the managers. The Deputy will realise that the situation in the Dublin city area, for instance, is quite complex. Very often, parents wish to send their children to schools which are not in their immediate vicinity.
Mr. Ryan
They are on a convenient bus route.
One gets overcrowding in schools from children from areas not adjacent to them, whereas local schools which are adjacent may have surplus accommodation.
16.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of national schools in the city of Dublin the number of schools with any classes in excess of (i) eighty, (ii) seventy, (iii) sixty, and (iv) fifty pupils on the rolls as of 31st December last, and the location of the schools in question.
The information available in my Department relates to classes of over 50 and was obtained during the period January/February, 1964. It shows that there were then 737 such classes in Dublin city. In the meantime a large number of these classes have been got rid of through reorganisation. The remainder will be catered for by further reorganisation and by the provision of about 100 prefabricated buildings. These classes are not confined to any particular locality.