asked the Minister for Education whether he will sanction a new multi-denominational school in the Dalkey area, Dublin in response to a decided local demand; and the financial aid he is willing to give towards the purchase of a site.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Dalkey (Dublin) School.
20.
Mr. R. Burke
I am not satisfied that the necessity exists for a new national school in the Dalkey area in addition to the schools which are already there. I am aware that the premises in which one of the schools —St. Patrick's national school, Dalkey —is being conducted are unsuitable in a number of respects, and my Department are in communication with the manager of the school with a view to initiating arrangements for the provision of a new building for that school.
Does the Minister accept the rights of parents with regard to the schooling of their children?
That is a separate question.
It is not.
The Chair decides these matters.
With respect I stated in my question, "in response to a decided local demand". Contained in my question is the implication that parents have a right in this regard.
Financial aid is also mentioned in the question.
I will raise that matter in my next supplementary. Would the Minister agree that the parents have a right in this regard?
Mr. R. Burke
The Minister is aware of the constitutional rights of parents in regard to the education of their children.
Would the Minister agree that when a large group of parents want a special type of school for their children it is impossible to override that right?
Mr. R. Burke
I am not sure that I would agree with the formulation as put by the Deputy.
A very important principle is involved in this question and my formulation of the supplementary was, does the Minister not agree that there are certain rights of parents in this question of providing a certain type of school which can not be overridden by Department regulation or Ministerial decision?
Mr. R. Burke
As I have already mentioned I am aware of the constitutional rights of parents in regard to the education of their children.
I am not satisfied——
The Deputy is injecting into that question——
I am not getting an answer to my supplementary.
That is not the responsibility of the Chair.
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy puts a more specific question with regard to the constitutional rights of parents I will reply to it.
The supplementary could not be more specific. How does the Minister arrogate to himself any power to override these rights?
Mr. R. Burke
The Minister follows the normal regulations of the Department in this regard.
I am not getting a straight answer.
The Deputy is raising what seems to be a national issue on a local matter.
I am not raising a national issue. I am talking about a specific issue in a specific area where a specific demand has been made for a certain type of school. I should like to ask the Minister about the question of financial aid.
The Deputy has been allowed at least seven supplementaries on this question.
They have not been answered.
I want to adhere strictly to the wording of my question and ask the Minister what financial aid he is willing to give towards the purchase of a site. That part of my question was not dealt with by the Minister.
Mr. R. Burke
If the Ceann Comhairle wishes me to go back and answer that last supplementary I will do so.
May we have a reply, Minister, to the supplementary in respect of financial aid?
Mr. R. Burke
The Department of Education do not provide financial aid for the purchase of sites for national schools.
21.
asked the Minister for Education whether, in response to parents' demands, he will sanction an extra teacher for St. Patrick's No. 2 national school, Dalkey, County Dublin who will be accommodated in a classroom already made available to the parents.
Mr. R. Burke
I have not received any application from the Reverend Manager of St. Patrick's national school, Dalkey, for the appointment of an additional teacher in that school. In any event, the enrolment in the school would not warrant the appointment of an additional teacher there. Accordingly, and apart from considerations of accommodation, I would not be in a position to sanction such an appointment even if the proposal were made by the manager.
Has the Minister received a request from anybody for an additional teacher for St. Patrick's school?
Mr. R. Burke
I have received no request from the manager of the school. I received a deputation of parents on 27th February and they made it clear that they wished to have another teacher appointed to the school. The number of pupils in this school would not warrant the appointment of an additional teacher and I replied in that regard.
Deft footwork is fine in a ballet company but when I am trying to get solid answers to solid and reasonable questions I would like to get these answers. Did the Minister receive a request from parents who have provided accommodation for an extra teacher which the intake in September will demand for this school in the short term?
Mr. R. Burke
The desirability of having an extra teacher was put to me by a group of parents who came to me but the number of pupils would not warrant the appointment of such a teacher. In any event I have not received a specific request from the manager for the appointment of such a teacher.
Does the Minister know how many applications there are for places in this school next September?
That is a separate question.
It is directly connected with the employment of an extra teacher.
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy is aware that one does not appoint teachers on the basis of future enrolments.