asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the proposed closure of a number of national schools in the greater Dublin area for the full week commencing 8th May to enable these schools to be used as polling stations on 10th May for the EEC Referendum; and, in view of the loss of school days to the children concerned and the general disruption caused, if he will consult with the returning officers involved and the Minister for Education to ensure that these schools are closed for not more than three days in that week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closure of Dublin Schools.
19.
The provision of polling stations at a referendum is a matter for the local returning officer who is an independent statutory officer. I have advised local returning officers that in requisitioning schools for use as polling stations care should be taken to ensure that there is no undue interruption of school work and that it should not be necessary to requisition schools for a longer period than three days. I am taking the matter up with the local returning officers for the Dublin area.