asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the national school at Castletownkilpatrick, Navan, County Meath is already overcrowded and has had to refuse 11 new pupils recently; and if he has any plans to remedy the position as a matter of urgency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath School.
27.
I am having this matter investigated and whatever steps may be necessary will be taken.
Would the Minister say if this matter has been brought to his notice?
It has indeed.
Had anything been done by his Department before this question went down to try to alleviate the position and find out who is responsible for what actually happened?
The Deputy should know from his local knowledge who is responsible.
I do not know, as a matter of fact. I should like to hear the Minister expressing his view.
The Deputy may take it, by implication, that I agree with him.
I have not said anything. I am not in the Front Bench of the Fianna Fáil Party. I could not afford to do that. Would the Minister consider that another prefab would be the answer?
We have a very practical proposal for a new central school there with five classrooms. The existing building is 100 years old. We want a new central school and I think we shall get it, but it is a matter for delicate negotiation.
I appreciate that, and I appreciate the way the Minister is handling this. However, will the Minister say if something can be done to look after the number of children who up till now have been refused admission to the school, simply because there is no room? Would he consider making some suggestion of using the local hall or some other place as a school to accommodate these children?
We are working on the problem.
(Cavan): If the Minister for Education is having difficulty in carrying out these negotiations, might I suggest that he enlist the help of his colleague, the Minister for Local Government, in the matter?
There is no use in making that sort of petty remark.
Will the Minister ensure that something will be done for the children who have been refused admission this year? Last year there were nine, and a prefab was erected in the school grounds to cater for the extra pupils. This year there are 13, and if the Minister says the plan is to build a new central school, what is to become of those 13 until that school is built? It is a long process.
I am fully aware of the problem, and I take it all Deputies are with me in trying to solve it. It is just a question of getting over certain difficulties. These are under discussion, and I hope we shall achieve something.