asked the Minister for Education if he will indicate in respect of proposals for the amalgamation of primary schools the number which have been abandoned or not sanctioned by his Department in the past three months.
Written Answers. - School Amalgamation.
132.
It is my policy to ensure that an opportunity is provided for full discussion with all the interests concerned before a decision to amalgamate national schools is taken. The provision of such opportunity for discussion, and further review, if necessary, instead of insistence on amalgamation by a particular date, does not, in my view represent an abandonment of any relevant proposal.
No proposal has been finally abandoned in the past three months. Neither has my Department refused to sanction during that period any proposal for amalgamation where there was local agreement for it.