asked the Minister for Education the number of students attending Killsheelin National School, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and the pupil/teacher ratio there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Schools.
42.
Mr. R. Burke
The average enrolment figure at Killsheelin three-teacher school for quarter ended 31st March, 1975 was 95.1. The pupil/teacher ratio is, therefore 31.7:1.
43.
asked the Minister for Education the number of students attending Kilcash National School, Ballypatrick, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
Mr. R. Burke
The average enrolment of pupils at Kilcash National School for the quarter ended 31st March, 1975, was 47.
44.
asked the Minister for Education his proposals regarding Killurney National School, Killsheelin, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mr. R. Burke
As it now seems likely that Killurney national school will become a one-teacher school on 1st July next, the question of the future provision to be made for the education of the pupils is being reviewed by my Department.
Would the Minister like to reconsider the decision to make this a one-teacher school in view of the high development area around the Killurney school and the fact that there are two very large American firms with over £1 million worth of industry going in there and the tremendous potential that there is in the area? It will not be possible for one teacher to teach all the classes there.
Mr. R. Burke
In spite of what the Deputy tells me, there does not seem to be much hope that this school will be other than a one-teacher school for the foreseeable future. I am afraid we will have to draw our conclusions from that fact.
Could the Minister say why he does not see a future for it? Is he reflecting on the people?
Mr. R. Burke
No. I cannot very well determine the future of a school on the basis of being a two-teacher school on the basis of future population trends.
Is the Minister aware of the very high development in that area?
The Deputy has already asserted that fact.
The Minister has not replied to it.
Repetition is not in order.
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware of it.
Is the Minister personally aware of it?
Mr. R. Burke
Yes. I am.
Does the Minister not see great potential for the area? He is going to close a new school that has just been built and he will have to reopen or extend other schools.
Mr. R. Burke
We will take into consideration what the Deputy has advanced when we come to make our decision in regard to this school.
Is the Minister aware that this school is the only community centre in the area, that it is the last remaining semblance of a community centre and that if he removes that he is destroying the community of Killurney?