asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the unhealthy and insanitary condition of the national school in Tullig, Dripsey, County Cork; and what steps are being taken to replace this school.
42.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Schools.
41.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the unhealthy and insanitary condition of Kilcorney national school, Rathcoole, County Cork; and what steps are being taken to replace it.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 41 and 42 together.
As I have already stated on a number of occasions, it is my policy, in the educational interests of the young people concerned, that smaller schools should, wherever feasible, be discontinued and provision made for their pupils in larger schools to which they would be brought by transport services.
In pursuance of that policy, my Department is in communication with the managers of Tullig and Kilcorney national schools with a view to effecting an amalgamation, in each case, of the existing school with another school in the area or the provision of a central school. Every effort is being made to bring these cases to a decision as soon as possible.
Can the Minister say in areas where schools in the same circumstances are waiting to be replaced, how many cases there are before his Department in which this matter has been deferred? How long does the Minister anticipate it will be before a decision will be given and does he anticipate that children will have to remain in schools in such conditions until the time is appropriate for the scheme now envisaged to commence?
If the Deputy wants an accurate number, he will have to put down a question. I think at the moment there are approximately 50 but that is not to be taken as entirely accurate. As regards the length of time, it is difficult to answer that because each case is dealt with on its merits and different circumstances arise in different areas. As far as I am concerned the sooner these cases are disposed of, the better. There is no undue delay in my Department in dealing with them. In regard to the third part of the Deputy's question, I would point out that in the vast majority of these cases, when dealt with on the basis outlined in my reply, the children concerned will be in much better accommodation much faster than if we went ahead with the proposals to build one- and two-teacher schools.
Can the Minister say if he has, in fact, had any discussions with the authorities concerned generally in regard to the matter so far as replacement of schools is concerned?
I am not quite sure I understand the Deputy's question.
The school managers.
Every school manager concerned was consulted.
Is every school manager agreeable?
Many of them are.