Vol. 251 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the conditions of overcrowding in the boys' national school, Rathdrum, County Wicklow where 160 children are attending a school built in 1940 for 90 children; and if he is providing additional accommodation for the overflow.
21.
asked the Minister for Education why schools at Trooperstown and Claravale, Rathdrum, County Wicklow have been closed and the children transferred to Rathdrum where no additional accommodation was provided.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
Trooperstown and Clara Vale national schools, both one-teacher schools, were amalgamated with Rathdrum boys' and convent national schools with effect as from 1st July, 1967 and 1st July, 1969, respectively. As a result 25 additional pupils were enrolled in Rathdrum boys' national school.
The school was built to accommodate 120 pupils in three classrooms. The average attendance of pupils for the quarter ended 31st December, 1970, was 125. One of the teachers and the pupils under her charge are at present accommodated in a nearby hall which is regarded as suitable for school use pending the provision of additional accommodation. The arrangements in this regard are well advanced.
