asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that children who formerly attended the now closed national school at Garnavilla, County Tipperary, and were transferred to Grange national school suffer considerable disadvantages in that the Grange school is much overcrowded; that some of the children are accommodated in an old condemned building; that sanitary arrangements are totally inadequate; and that the only playground is a nearby graveyard; and if he will take urgent steps to have proper accommodation provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary School.
96.
Mr. O'Malley
I am not aware that there is any overcrowding in Grange national school. Some of the pupils are accommodated temporarily in the old school which has been renovated and has had flush toilets provided. The playground in the new school, which is convenient to the old school, is available for use by all the children.
I am having the question of the enlargement of the school building examined.
Surely the Minister is aware that there is evidence of indecent haste on the part of his Department in transferring these children from the old school to Grange school? The fact that the overflow of the children had to be accommodated in an old, disused school is surely evidence of that? I would appeal to the Minister to take urgent steps to provide decent facilities there by way of a proper extension, sanitary facilities and an adequate playground, rather than that they should have to use the local graveyard for their play.
97.
asked the Minister for Education whether it is proposed to close Croagh national school, Ardfinnan, Clonmel; if so, when; whether he is aware of the anxiety of the parents to be fully consulted before action is taken; if he will arrange to send an inspector of his Department to meet the parents at a properly convened meeting in the area; and, if necessary, if he will receive a deputation of parents to discuss all aspects of the matter.
Mr. O'Malley
I am fully satisfied that in the educational interests of the children concerned Croagh national school should be closed and amalgamated with the schools in Ardfinnan. A free transport service would be provided. If I receive an application from the parents through the school manager I will certainly arrange to have whatever meetings with the parents that may be considered necessary.
Can the Minister say when this closure is likely to take place? Is he satisfied there is adequate accommodation at Ardfinnan?
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy had a question last October on similar lines. Since then, one of my assistant principal officers went down to see the manager in Ardfinnan and discussed the matter further with him. It appeared to us that the best long-term arrangement would be that Ardfinnan school should be extended to form a central school for Ardfinnan, Croagh and Gormanstown. The conditions in Croagh are so bad that the Department and the manager considered, in the interests of the pupils as well as their educational advantage and needs, that Croagh school should be discontinued as soon as possible and the pupils transported to Ardfinnan. We are making the necessary arrangements. To answer the Deputy's question then— as soon as physically possible.
The Minister will be aware that a letter issued to the local press in the names of certain public representatives of the Minister's Party indicating that this closure was not to take place at Croagh until such time as adequate accommodation was available at Ardfinnan? Is this still the position, that we must wait for the provision of an extension at Ardfinnan before the closure at Croagh?
Mr. O'Malley
The whole matter is under consideration. Naturally, we cannot put pupils into a place if the accommodation is not adequate for them.
Like Grange, for instance.
Would it not be better, in circumstances where a proposed amalgamation is acceptable to both parents and teachers and where the school to be closed is not in too bad a state of repair but has small numbers attending, to have the proposed central school in good condition, good rooms, adequate equipment and good sanitation before the amalgamation would take place?
Mr. O'Malley
I agree.
This would seem to be a prerequisite.