asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the vocational school and the boys' and girls' secondary schools in Kanturk, County Cork have agreed in principle to co-operate in respect of enrolments and the provision of courses, et cetera; and if his Department will assist in every way possible to ensure the availability of a wide curriculum and facilities such as a library, sport facilities, et cetera; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Schools.
39.
My Department has been informed by the three post-primary school principals that they have agreed to draw up a common time-table at senior cycle level for the school year 1972-73. The practical implementation of this agreement in principle would be a welcome development and my Department will assist in any way possible. The provision of additional permanent accommodation in the centre will, however, have to be considered in the context of the Department's view that one strong post-primary school would eventually best serve the educational needs of the area.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the suggested amalgamation was dictated by his Department, and is he further aware that, in view of the proposed provision of a comprehensive school at Boherbue six miles away and the proposed provision of a community school six miles further than that in Millstreet, there is a grave danger that Kanturk will be phased out as a leaving examination centre, and that it is a matter of great concern in the locality?
The matter has been discussed between the Department and the interests concerned, but it is important to recognise that the development of a comprehensive school in the area, far from being a retrograde step, is a positive advance, and if it has effected any change in the provisions I would have thought it was not a matter of concern but one of advantage to the people in the area.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance to the House that the people of Kanturk will have a wide curricula and a senior cycle for the next ten years?
Wide curricula? The Deputy will be aware that it is the major concern of the Department to provide a wide range of choice not just in Kanturk but everywhere.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give me that assurance?
So far as possible the Department will provide the widest possible curriculum in all schools.
(Cavan): Will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that Kanturk will not lose its senior cycle, leaving certificate course?
The Deputy wants the Minister to say that forever more the position will be what it is now. Obviously, I cannot give any such assurance in respect of any place.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Desmond.
If I may reply.
The Chair called me.
I had not finished my statement and I do not intend to be interrupted in the middle of it. The implication is that there will be no further development of educational needs and programmes. I cannot accept that implication.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary please give a straight answer to a straight question? He has been asked if in the immediate future the senior cycle will be retained in Kanturk. We want to know will that cycle still continue in 1973-74. The Parliamentary Secretary should not equivocate.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy was not listening to the question. There is no question of the senior cycle being discontinued in 1973-74.
If the people of Kanturk are satisfied that there is a fairly wide curriculum available for their children and if the school manager and the educationalists are satisfied with the structure in Kanturk, will the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that he will not take any steps to deprive the Kanturk area of its junior and senior cycle schools?
The Minister replied to the Deputy on this matter on many occasions and he indicated very clearly the range of subjects he would like to see provided at senior cycle level in every school, thereby implementing our policy on equal educational opportunities. That is the Minister's intention now and will be in future.