asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the present position of new community schools proposed for (a) Tullamore and (b) Portarlington, County Offaly; if all educational interests have been consulted; and if the agreement of all such interests has been obtained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Community School.
36.
Tullamore and Portarlington are included in the published list of centres in which the question of establishing community schools is under consideration. Discussions will be continued shortly with the school authorities involved.
May I take it that the discussions have not been completed and that it is his intention to have all educational interests consulted before making a final decision?
Yes. Discussions will be continued shortly.
Is it intended to consult the teaching organisations' representatives in the area?
Consultations will take place with the various interests involved.
The Minister said "school authorities" specifically. I asked about teachers' representatives.
Yes, school authorities in these cases.
The Minister does not intend to consult the teaching organisations' representatives in the area?
The usual procedure is to consult with the school authorities.
The Minister is ignoring the teaching organisations.
The Deputy may be assured that as a teacher myself I never ignore teaching organisations.
But the Minister has just said that he will.