Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1968

Vol. 237 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo Schools.

60.

Mr. Gilhawley

asked the Minister for Education what plans are in his Department for the amalgamation of schools in County Sligo; and if he will name the schools concerned.

61.

Mr. Gilhawley

asked the Minister for Education what plans there are in his Department for the closure of primary, secondary and vocational schools in County Sligo; and if he will name the schools due for closing.

Mr. Colley

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 60 and 61 together.

It is the policy of the Government to endeavour, as far as possible, to provide for the education of pupils in larger school units. The furtherance of this policy is a matter of gradual procedure whereby every case is examined on its merits. It is not, therefore, possible to give the names of the schools which may be closed.

62.

Mr. Gilhawley

asked the Minister for Education what plans there are at present in his Department for the provision of new primary, secondary and vocational schools in County Sligo; and if he will state their locations.

Mr. Colley

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate for inclusion in the Official Report a statement in tabular form giving the information requested by the Deputy.

Following is the statement:

County Sligo—Schools Building Programme.

Proposed New Primary Schools.

Schools to be replaced	Location of new School	Present position
Culleens	Culleens	New school in course of erection.
Ballintogher	Ballintogher	do.
Crossboy
Cregg House Special School	Cregg
St. Mary's Boys'	Sligo Town
Easkey	Easkey
Owenbeg
Corballa	Corballa	All these cases are at various stages in relation to the sanction of grants.
Stokane
Coolavin	Monasteraden
St. Michael's, Clooncunny
Cross
Curry B/G	Curry
Cloonagh
Bunnacrannagh
Killaville	Killaville
Cloneen
Bunninadden	Bunninadden
Carrowreagh
Doocastle
Carrowmore	Not yet decided
Carniara
Ballisodare No. 2	Collooney
Riverstown No. 2
Woodfield
Collooney No. 2
Leyney
Breaghwy	—	These schools being two-teacher schools, investigations are in progress to ascertain if the pupils can be suitably provided for in larger school units, either by amalgamation with existing schools or by the provision of central schools.
Kilmactranny	—
Knocknarea	—

Secondary Schools.

1. Convent of Mercy, Boyle.

2. St. Patrick's Secondary School, Convent of Mercy, Sligo.

3. Summerhill College, Sligo (major extension).

New Vocational Schools.

Committee	Centre	Number of rooms
Town of Sligo V.E.C.	Day Junior Vocational School.	22 rooms Library Gymnasium and ancillary	To be built on Regional Tech. College site.

Schedule of accommodation was approved on 13th May, 1968, and the Department is at present awaiting the submission of sketch plans and outline specification.

Committee	Centre	Number of rooms
County Sligo V.E.C.	New Tubbercurry Vocational School	14 rooms and apprenticeship accommodation plus ancillary accommodation.

Project was sanctioned in principle on 3rd October, 1968, and authority was given to purchase site. A schedule of accommodation was submitted on 4th November, 1968, and is at present under consideration in the Department. Sketch plans and outline specification will be requested when schedule of accommodation is being formally approved.

NOTES: I A 4-room plus ancillary extension is to be provided at Easkey V.S.

II A 2-room plus ancillary extension is to be provided at Ballymote V.S.

I. Sanctioned in principle on 31st October, 1968, and sketch plans requested. Authority was also given to purchase site.

II. Sanctioned in principle on 5th November, 1968, and line diagram requested.