asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement about the future of the three-teacher primary school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Three-Teacher Schools.
44.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question from him on 4th March, 1970. I have nothing to add to that reply.
Did the Minister say March, 1970?
Yes.
That is a very long time ago.
I know it is but there is no change in the situation.
The Minister is not going to close?
Does the Deputy want me to repeat what I said then? I shall read it:
The policy in regard to the closure of small schools relates mainly to one-and two-teacher schools.
The ideal arrangement would be one where a school would have a teacher for each separate class. This in relation to many rural areas would be capable of attainment only through transport services which would cover very wide areas and would result in many children having to spend an undue length of time in travelling. Furthermore it would entail bringing children to school outside their own parish, something that is to be avoided wherever possible.
Accordingly, if it became a practical proposition to provide, in the parish, a central school with five or more teachers and this involved the closing of a three-teacher school which was due for replacement then efforts would be made to have the three-teacher school closed and to give all the children in the parish the benefits of the larger school.
Thanks.