asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to replace the existing primary schools at Doohoma and Binghamstown, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Mayo Schools.
38.
My Department will sanction a grant towards the cost of the erection of the proposed new Doohoma national school as soon as the necessary title documents to the school site have been received.
The site originally offered for a new school at Kilmore Erris, Binghamstown, was not considered suitable. An alternative site has been offered and the Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to furnish a report as to its suitability.
I am not, therefore, in a position to say when work on the erection of either of these schools will begin.
39.
asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to replace the existing primary school at Doolough, Geesala, County Mayo.
The matter of the educational facilities to be provided for the children of Doolough school district has been thoroughly investigated. Having given the fullest consideration to all the facts disclosed by the investigation, I am satisfied that the educational interests of these children would best be served by conveying them to the larger school at Geesala in the same parish and, therefore, that the provision of a two-teacher school at Doolough should not be proceeded with. Proposals accordingly have been placed before the school manager.
Is the Minister aware that in spite of the large-scale investigation to which he has referred, not one parent in this village has been consulted—not one? I met them all last Sunday. This school is the one school that has survived as a Gaeltacht school right down from the foundation of the State. Bhí Seán Ó Ruadháin, nach maireann, a scríobh Pádraig Máire Bhán, ar scoil ann agus an bhfuil sé beartaithe anois an scoil seo a dhúnadh?
An bhfuil an Teachta críochnaithe?
Ní raibh an t-eolas úd agam a luaigh an Teachta. Tig liom a rá leis, áfach, go bhfuil rial daingean ann nach ndúnfar scoil Ghaeltachta lena chomhnascadh le scoil Ghalltachta. Ní dhéanfar an rud sin leis an scoll seo. Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil an scéal amhail mar adeir an Teachta. Ní fédir liom a rá an bhfuil sépleanáilte——
"Pleanáilte"—go bhfóiridh Dia orainn!
Is focal úsáideach é. Tá teanga na Gaeilge dhá cur in oiriúint don saol atá inniu ann.
Tá sé go dona.
Beidh ruaille-buaille ann.
May I add that, as is normal in these cases, an official of the Department of Education will be sent to discuss the matter with the parents if a request is made.
Will the Minister take me as making the request now on behalf of those people?
I should say that the manager has already been informed to this effect. I will pass on to the Minister for Education what the Deputy says and arrangements will be made accordingly.
This is very complex.