asked the Minister for Education whether the primary responsibility for the initiation of the provision of additional accommodation lies with the school manager or with him; what steps were taken and by whom during the past two years to remedy overcrowding in Longfield national school, Firies, County Kerry; whether an assurance will be given that the extra classroom to accommodate the third teacher required in this school will be provided without delay; and whether he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Schools.
44.
A decision as to whether additional accommodation should be provided at a national school is primarily a matter for my Department. Planning and contract arrangements for the provision of additional accommodation are, ordinarily, undertaken by the Commissioners of Public Works.
In the case of Firies national school, the need for additional classroom space had to be considered in conjunction with a proposal to amalgamate with it another school in the parish, Ballinillane. The amalgamation, which was decided on in January of this year, gave need for the extension of the Firies school by the addition of two classrooms and a general purposes room. The Commissioners of Public Works consider that the extension could suitably be carried out by industrialised building methods and should be completed in about three months.
I shall do all I can to ensure that there will be no avoidable delay in having adequate and suitable school accommodation made available for the children of both the Firies and the Ballinillane districts.
45.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the 90 children attending Longfield national school, Firies, County Kerry have been pressing for additional accommodation and an extra teacher for some time; and that the pupils are taught by two teachers in a two-roomed school which is most inadequate; and, if so, when it is proposed to provide the extra accommodation and the extra teacher requested by the parents.
The school manager has agreed to the Department's proposal to amalgamate Ballinillane national school with Firies national school as soon as the extra accommodation necessary to effect the amalgamation has been provided at that school, which will, on amalgamation, become a four-teacher school. It is hoped that the additional accommodation will be available within three months.
46.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the parents of the children attending Tiershanahan national school, County Kerry, which is now closed, have not sent their children to Glenderry school as arranged by his Department and, if so, if he will now reconsider having Tiershanahan national school reopened.
I am aware that the children of the Tiershanahan national school district have not yet availed themselves of the transport service provided to convey them to Glenderry national school. As I am fully satisfied that the educational interests of the children concerned will best be served in the four-teacher school at Glenderry I do not intend to alter the decision regarding the closing of Tiershanahan national school.
Is that a case in which the parents have been consulted, and if not, will the Minister consider arranging a meeting between the responsible inspectors of his Department and the parents of the children to discuss their problem and to arrive at an amicable settlement to ensure that a sensible accommodation is arrived at between the manager, the parents and the Minister?
I will look into this particular case to ascertain whether or not there has been. I am most anxious there should be this sort of prior consultation and a number of inspectors and officials of my Department are all around the country at this particular point in time having such discussions.
They almost invariably provide a solution.
That is my experience and my information. Once there is proper consultation on and explanation of what is involved, the parents come round to the idea and, as far as possible, we seek to have consultation. However, I shall inquire into this particular case.