asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the proposed amalgamation of Templetown and Poulfur national schools, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Schools.
28.
Mr. R. Burke
It is proposed to amalgamate Templetown national school with Poulfur national school as from 1st July next and my Department are in correspondence with the school manager on the matter.
Is the Minister satisfied that the amalgamation of the two schools has the blessing of the parents in the area? Further, is he aware that the distance between the two schools is quite considerable?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy may be aware that the manager was advised by my Department early in 1972 of the completion of extra accommodation and that the way was then open for the amalgamation of the two schools. The hold-up has been caused by requests for minor alterations.
Does the Minister propose to build extra classrooms in the Poulfur school?
Mr. R. Burke
A revised scheme of alteration and extension to the school costing £17,000 was submitted to the manager for his agreement in February, 1975. We are awaiting his reply.
I am calling Question No. 29.
Can the Minister state how it is proposed to open the school next June if building has not commenced yet?
Mr. R. Burke
It has been completed. As the Deputy will be aware, the general purposes room was built with two extra classrooms at the time of an earlier amalgamation with another small school in that area and that general purposes room can accommodate the pupils pending the alterations now suggested.
Will the Minister state——
I have allowed the Deputy considerable latitude on this question. We must make some progress.
It is a very important matter.
Every question on the Order Paper is equally important.
It concerns the future of the children in the area. Will the Minister state if this school will be a six- or seven-teacher school?
Mr. R. Burke
The present school has a principal, a vice-principal and three assistants. It will be a six-teacher school but I should like the Deputy to communicate with me afterwards because I am giving this information on the basis of a quick calculation.