andMr. Burton asked the Minister for Education if as a result of the case presented by the deputation of Deputies for the area, he has yet made a decision with regard to the future of Waterloo national school near Blarney, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School.
38.
Following my meeting with the deputation of Deputies for the area, I am still of the opinion that the educational interests of the children would best be served by conveying them on a free transport service to Whitechurch National School when an additional classroom and water-flushed sanitation are provided at that school.
Is the Minister aware that a survey carried out by officials of his Department has now been proved incorrect as regards numbers? It was carried out to support the idea of closing the school but now there are increased numbers attending the school. There are 74 or 75 on the rolls at the moment. Would the Minister reconsider the matter in view of that fact?
The indications are that the enrolment will drop to about 47 in five years.
How does the Department arrive at that conclusion? This is a growing area. It has potential. It is a good industrial area. It is difficult to understand how the Department or any official could arrive at such a figure because it would not be believed in the area: it is not possible.
I can only say that the methods by which these things have been computed have been proved reasonably accurate in the past. They relate to a survey of the school children who have not yet attended school in the area. I cannot go into technical details here now, but if the Deputy wants to know how it is done, I am quite sure the Minister for Education will tell him in detail how it is arrived at.