Vol. 233 No. 11
asked the Minister for Education if his Department have under consideration proposals for the closing of the national school at Waterloo, Blarney, County Cork; if he is aware that this school is situated in a thickly populated, rapidly expanding district; that at present it has between 70 and 80 pupils; and that it is a new one, built only 15 or 20 years ago; and if he will consult the parents and public representatives of the area before coming to any decision.
48.
asked the Minister for Education the reasons for closing the national school at Waterloo, Blarney, County Cork, which has a total roll of over 80 pupils; whether it is part of the Department's policy to close national schools with more than 80 pupils; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
The national school at Waterloo, Blarney, County Cork, is a two-teacher school with an average enrolment of about 70 pupils. It is on a restricted site and it lacks water-flushed sanitary facilities. Following a full investigation by an inspector from my Department which disclosed that there will be a rapid downward trend in the enrolments in the school it was decided that the educational interests of the children would best be served by conveying them on a free transport service to the national school at Whitechurch. This school, which is now a two-teacher school, previously had three teachers. The amalgamation would ensure a four-teacher school at Whitechurch where modern amenities including water-flushed sanitation could be provided. The Deputies will, I am sure, appreciate that no person now seriously questions the educational advantages of larger school units. The proposal has already been discussed by the Department's inspector with the manager and the parents concerned.
Is the Minister aware that this is a new school and that there is plenty of water within 50 yards of it—a river?
It is not that new.
There is no justification whatever for the closing of this school, in view of the fact that it is practically in a built-up area, within, I might say, four miles of the new borough boundary of the city. There is no justification whatever in an area like that, where every spot is being developed for housing, for the closing down of a school. In the second place, what is the ground for the removal of the children to Whitechurch when there is a local school within two miles, in Blarney? I would like to hear the reply from the Minister.
First of all, the free transport service should obviate any inconvenience. There are sanitary facilities at Whitechurch. The information we have is that there would be a decreasing pupil population in Waterloo if the present trend continues.
Further, I should like to ask the Minister what is the idea of shifting the pupils out to Whitechurch as against Blarney?
Some will go to Blarney. There is no question of all of them being transferred to Whitechurch.
The Minister is, of course, aware that the parents of these children are completely opposed to the closing down of this school?
Not all of them.
Question No. 49.
