asked the Minister for Education why his Department did not proceed with their original proposal in March, 1967, to build a community school at Ballinamuck, County Longford, incorporating the present vocational school there; and why a new proposal that the community school should be built at Moyne was put forward.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Longford Community School.
69.
I am satisfied that the educational interests of the children of the Moyne/Ballinamuck area would best be served by one school which would provide a wide range of academic and practical subjects.
The suggestion to build the community school at Moyne was based on the fact that the pupil potential there is greater than at Ballinamuck, thus permitting of a larger school unit with a wider curriculum. Moyne is consequently the more convenient area for the majority of the pupils.
Could the Minister tell us why he did in fact reverse the decision taken in March, 1967, to incorporate the present vocational school with a new one at Moyne, which at the present time has 156 pupils? Why did the Department reverse the decision that was taken then to build at Ballinamuck?
The anticipated pupil potential in Ballinamuck is 594 as against 853. A decision was taken to centre it at Ballinamuck but on recent consideration, it was considered to be more effective to build in Moyne rather than in Ballinamuck.
Would the Minister not agree that an erroneous pupil potential has been estimated for that area? Would he further agree that the Moyne area estimate would include poaching Carrigallen and Kilnaleck, County Cavan, vocational schools? In Ballinamuck where you state there is a 594-pupil potential, that was arrived at after omitting Doonoc, Soran, Molly, Fardomin, Drumgowna, and Corduff areas which are geographically and traditionally attached to the Ballinamuck area.
The Deputy does not even know how to pronounce the names. He thinks there are votes in this matter.
If I were interested in votes, I would keep my mouth shut. Would the Minister not agree that a misleading survey has been made? Do you agree that you are embracing Kilnaleck and Carrigallen?
The pupil potential at Moyne would still be 100 ahead of Ballinamuck which would only have 49, even with the allowances made by the Deputy.
Has a survey been carried out?
A resurvey has been carried out.
Do you agree it is a good idea?
It is a question of the best service being provided for the best potential enrolment. The best enrolment is for Ballinamuck even making allowances as stated by the Deputy.