asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the closure of junior sections of the Dominican School, Eccles Street, Dublin, next May, his Department will assist in arranging alternative education facilities, particularly in the case of those pupils who wish to obtain a secondary education.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School Closure.
20.
This is a private non-aided primary school which does not come under the rules of my Department.
The school authorities inform me that part of the Eccles Street school building has been condemned and must be vacated. This has necessitated discontinuing part of the junior school—infants and first standard.
These children can seek entrance to their local national schools and I understand that the school and diocesan authorities are making the appropriate arrangements.
My information is that the secondary school will continue in being.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the ratio of pupil/teacher in the vicinity of this school is so good that pupils from the school that will be closed can be absorbed?
I understand that about 205 pupils are involved out of a total of 450 in the junior school. The school authorities, parents and the diocesan authorities are making arrangements for the placing of junior pupils who will be leaving the Eccles Street school. It is expected this can be done without inconvenience to the pupils who come from as many as 33 different parishes. They may come from areas quite a distance from Eccles Street and could be provided for locally.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the same order have expressed the intention of setting up a national school in place of the preparatory fee-paying school that has closed down?
I have no information on that proposal. It was not mentioned in the question put down by Deputy Gogan.