andMr. Cowen asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the erection of an assembly hall in Daingean national school, County Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Schools.
32.
The number of teachers serving in Daingean boys and girls national schools is not sufficient to comply with the conditions governing the provision of an assembly hall. However, as an alternative to the provision of an assembly hall, I am having investigations made as to the feasibility of providing a general purposes room of appropriate size at each of the two schools, the rooms to be sited in such a way that they can be used as one large all-purpose room as the occasion demands.
33.
andMr. Cowen asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the erection of a prefabricated classroom in Kilmurry national school, County Offaly, as same is required urgently owing to overcrowding in this school.
I have approved of the provision of a temporary prefabricated classroom at Kilmurry National School to ease the accommodation problem there pending the erection of the proposed new school at Cappagh which will replace the Kilmurry school and another school in the parish.
A grant is now being sanctioned by my Department for this purpose.
34.
andMr. Cowen asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the Church of Ireland school at Geashill, County Offaly; and if it is intended to close it in the very near future.
The feasibility of amalgamating Geashill and other schools under Protestant management in the region is being investigated. This is at a preliminary stage and all aspects of the matter must be fully considered before my Department will be in a position to make any proposals.
It is not exactly easy to follow the Minister's answers but I did follow the last one. When he uses the word "amalgamated", does he mean that it is intended to close the school? Presumably, when these schools are amalgamated, the school at Geashill will be closed. That is what the Minister was asked by his two colleagues who are in dire trouble.
Not necessarily because it could possibly be this particular school that would be kept open.
Possibly but not very probable.
Not very probable.