asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the general demand, he will clarify his Department's letter to the Donegal Vocational Educational Committee concerning the building of the proposed vocational school for Creeslough, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Creeslough (Donegal) Vocational School.
35.
My Department recently inquired of County Donegal Vocational Education Committee whether it would now wish to reconsider the decision to establish a vocational school in Creeslough.
The need for a reappraisal of the matter arises from the fact that the introduction of free transport has made it possible for the children of Creeslough to avail of a wide choice of existing post-primary facilities in Letterkenny, Falcarragh, Gortahork and Milford and there may not, therefore, be the same necessity for providing a post-primary school in Creeslough as when this proposal was originally advanced.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that he has now changed the decision of his predecessor who decided to build a technical school at Creeslough?
No, a practical decision has been reached locally and everybody has agreed that this should be done.
I want to know from the Minister, because the people of Donegal want to know, is this a departmental decision or a decision of the local vocational education committee?
The decision arrived at has been changed because the Fianna Fáil Government introduced free transport for all children in every rural area in the country last year. That is the reason for the present decision.
My question relates to the proposed erection of a vocational school at Creeslough. Is it a decision of the Minister's to abandon the proposal to erect a school there?
We are going to provide better education for the children of Creeslough at Gortahork, Letterkenny, Falcarragh and Milford where the complete range of post-primary education will be available and which would not have been possible in the smaller school earlier envisaged for Creeslough.
Is the decision to abolish or abandon the erection of the school the Minister's decision or is it a local decision?
I think I have answered the question. It is a decision arising out of the policy of the Fianna Fáil Government.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
The Minister has told the vocational committee to abandon the new proposal.
I am providing far better education for the children of the area.
The Minister is providing only £2 out of every £3 that was provided in 1931.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Harte should resume his seat. Question No. 36.