asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the appointment of a special teacher for slow learners at Lusk School, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Remedial Education.
27.
An application from the school manager for remedial education facilities in Lusk has been received by the Department of Education and is being investigated.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate when this application was received?
It was a letter of the manager of 18th July, 1974. The manager wrote stating that the three parish schools—Lusk, Corduff and Hedgestown—taken together have a total of 45 children who are in urgent need of remedial education. I understand that this was referred to the inspector of the Department for investigation in the subsequent term. The Deputy will understand that the matter could not be investigated during the summer holidays. This investigation was rendered somewhat difficult by reason of the fact that the principalship of one of the schools was vacant. The matter is being actively investigated at present and I understand that the inspector attended at a meeting in Lusk last night and a report is anticipated in the near future.
It took from 18th of July until this question went out two weeks ago to get the inspector out there. Because of the sensitive nature of the question it is not possible to make the full details available, but the community of Lusk have carried more than their fare share of the burden in the settlement of the itinerant community. For that reason I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to reach a speedy decision on this matter.
My information is that the inspector made all efforts in good faith to investigate the complaint when it came in. I have no information to suggest that the inspector is in any way at fault for the delay.
I was not blaming the inspector; I was blaming the Department.
The Deputy stated that nothing had been done about having an inspector call to the area until his question was received, but I understand that the inspector made his inspection on the ground subsequent to the letter from the manager. These investigations could not be carried to full fruition because of the vacancy in the principalship of one of the schools. I will take note of what the Deputy says in relation to the special position in Lusk and when the inspector's report comes to hand, as I anticipate it will fairly soon, I will treat the matter with the maximum urgency.