asked the Minister for Education the total cost of the new national school being constructed at Lissivigeen, Killarney; and the total amount of the State grant for this project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Schools.
33.
Mr. O'Malley
A figure of final cost for the erection of the new national school at Lissivigeen has not yet been arrived at by the Commissioners of Public Works. The total amount of the State grant will be related to the final cost of the school.
It is not the practice, however, to disclose the arrangements made with school managers as to the amounts of the local contributions and State grants provided in connection with school building projects.
34.
asked the Minister for Education whether the national school at Raheen, Headford, County Kerry, will be repaired and improved shortly; or whether it is proposed to build a new school at Raheen having regard to the condition of the existing one.
Mr. O'Malley
The educational facilities in the areas served by Raheen and Barraduff national schools have been investigated and as a result it has been decided that it would be in the educational interests of the children to close Raheen school and transfer the pupils to a new central school which it is proposed to erect at Barraduff.
I understand that works of repair to the Raheen school are at present being carried out to keep it serviceable for some time longer.
35.
asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the future of Newtown national school, Ballymacarbery, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
Mr. O'Malley
A site has been offered for the erection of a new school at Newtown to replace that school and three other schools. My Department has asked the Commissioners of Public Works to have the site inspected at an early date and if it is suitable, to furnish sketch plans and an estimate of the cost of erecting the building.
A scheme of improvements to render the Newtown national school serviceable pending the erection of the central school is nearing completion.
36.
asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to proceed with the proposal to erect a new national school at Ballyheaffy, Araglin, Kilworth, County Cork; and, if not, why.
Mr. O'Malley
An assessment of the future pupil potential of the Ballyheaffy area has made it clear that a two-teacher school only would be required there.
It has been decided, therefore, not to proceed with the erection of a new school. This is in accordance with the declared policy not to build any more small schools in any case where more satisfactory arrangements can be made for the education of the children. Arrangements have been made, accordingly, to have the children transferred to the neighbouring schools in Ballyduff, Ballyporeen and Araglin.
Is the Minister not aware of the very grave dissatisfaction which exists amongst the parents and all concerned in the area resulting from the decision not to proceed with the erection of this oft-promised school? Is he not further aware that plans for this new school are known to have existed for a considerable number of years and will he not reconsider his attitude?
Mr. O'Malley
I do not think there is any necessity to review this decision. I have looked into it very carefully and in the educational interests of the children, which after all is our primary consideration, I consider this is a proper decision. I would add that the manager of the school has agreed to the proposal and the decision to accommodate all the pupils in Ballyduff, Ballyporeen and Araglin.
Has the Minister taken into account the mountainous terrain and the difficulty of providing adequate transport? Would the Minister comment on the kind of transport he has in mind for the children in that area.
Mr. O'Malley
We are satisfied there will not be any undue difficulty in bringing the children to the three schools I have mentioned. Neither am I aware of any agitation among the parents in the area.
There have been a number of meetings.
Mr. O'Malley
A certain amount of agitation, genuine and induced, often takes place in a case like this, but, by and large, the reasonable people accept the decision.
I can assure the Minister I was not responsible for any inducement in this matter. He can consult his own colleagues with regard to that.
37.
asked the Minister for Education what proposals he has for the repair or replacement of Carraghclooney national school, Ballinamult, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
Mr. O'Malley
It has been decided to erect a new central school at Newtown, Ballymacarbery, having six classrooms and a general purposes room with a kitchenette, to replace the existing school there and to replace also Carraghclooney NS as well as two other small local schools.
A site for the new central school has recently been offered by the Reverend Manager. The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to survey the site and, if it is found suitable, to prepare and furnish sketch plans and an estimate of the cost of the new school.
The Manager is now being communicated with in regard to having such works carried out at the Carragh-clooney school as will render it serviceable pending the erection of the new central school.
38.
asked the Minister for Education what proposals are before his Department for the erection of a new national school at Lough-guitane, Killarney; and if he is aware that a school was to have been erected there two years ago.
Mr. O'Malley
According to the records of my Department there are two national schools in the Lough-guitane district. The building of a central school to replace these two schools is at present under active consideration.