asked the Minister for Education if he will state the number of primary schools built in the last 15 years which have been or are to be closed under the Department's amalgamation scheme; and what plans the Department have for the future use of these buildings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Primary Schools.
20.
Out of 331 schools which were closed up to 31st March, 1968, only five had been built in the previous 15 years. Two of these had been provided as temporary structures. In ordinary circumstances, the closing of a recently-built school would come up for consideration only if the question of large and expensive improvements to the building arose. It is, therefore, not likely that there will be many such cases.
The use to which a national school building might be put when it is no longer required for school purposes is primarily a matter for the local trustees, in whom the school is vested. In many instances old national school buildings are used for community purposes.