asked the Minister for Education the detailed proposals he has on hands to extend and improve Coxtown national school, Carrigans, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary Schools.
17.
Mr. R. Burke
My Department have sanctioned the provision of an extra classroom and a general purposes room at Coxtown national school, Carrigans, and the carrying out of improvements to the school yard. The preparation of a sketch scheme is now in the hands of the Commissioners of Public Works.
I thank the Minister for the information. I would ask him if it is possible to get matters under way at the earliest opportunity. This particularly applies to the school yard which, in the winter, is in a filthy condition. Perhaps this is the most urgent aspect and I would be glad if the Minister could arrange to have this matter rectified.
Mr. R. Burke
We are awaiting a report with regard to the works that require to be carried out to the playground to put it into a satisfactory condition.
18.
asked the Minister for Education why Rashina national schol, County Offaly, is being closed in view of the fact that it is a two-teacher school catering for 60 local children.
Mr. R. Burke
The position in the case of Rashina national school is that future prospective enrolments are expected to decline to a figure of 30 pupils by the year 1979.
Proposals for the reorganisation of primary schooling facilities in the area have been under consideration for some time, and it is felt that the educational interests of all the children involved would best be served by an arrangement whereby the three existing two-teacher schools at Rashina, Bloomhill and Ballinahowen would be replaced by a central school in a new building to be erected at Ballinahowen.
My information is that following a recent meeting at which the proposed amalgamation was explained to the parents of the area, a substantial majority of the parents voted in favour of the amalgamation.
Arrangements are, therefore, being made for the provision of the new central school building at Ballinahowen.
Is the Minister aware that two years ago there was an expenditure of £20,000 on the school at Rashina? At a recent meeting most of the parents who were from the Ballinahowen area where the proposed school will be erected out-voted the parents from the Rashina area where the school is about to be closed.
Mr. R. Burke
I was not aware of the fact that the parents were predominantly from the Ballinahowen area as stated by the Deputy.
I wanted to draw the attention of the Minister to this fact and also to the fact that the parents from the Rashina area are not anxious to have their children transferred to the Ballinahowen school. I would ask the Minister to have another look at this matter.
Mr. R. Burke
If the parents and the manager are in favour of amalgamation, and if that is department policy in this regard, it is very difficult to reopen the question at this point.
The parents from Rashina were not in favour of it but because the parents from the Ballinahowen area had the majority at the meeting they out-voted the people from Rashina.
Mr. R. Burke
I have noted the Deputy's information.
I am calling the next question. Deputy Connolly has been allowed a considerable number of supplementaries.
Will the Minister have the matter reviewed, or is the door closed on this matter so far as the Department are concerned?
Mr. R. Burke
I will have another look at it personally. As I said in the case of a previous question, I do not want the Deputy to understand that there is any hope of a change of decision in regard to this matter.
19.
asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to erect a new school at Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry; if so, if plans have been finalised for the school; and when it will go for tender.
Mr. R. Burke
It is proposed to erect a new primary school at Cromane, Killorglin, County Kerry. Plans for the school will be prepared when a suitable site has been acquired by the school manager. It is not possible at this stage to say when work will commence.
20.
asked the Minister for Education if, having regard to the insanitary condition of Kilgarvan national school, County Kerry, which is injurious to the health of the pupils and teachers, he will order the immediate closure of the school until such time as the proposed new school is erected.
Mr. R. Burke
I have no power to order the closure of a school for the reason suggested. Under the regulations for national schools, the responsibility for closing a school rests on the manager. Where the closing is deemed necessary in the interests of public health, the written recommendation of the medical officer of health is required.
While the school building in question is old, and is scheduled for replacement shortly by a new school, my Department have received no complaints of insanitary conditions there. I am arranging, however, to have the premises inspected.
I am informed that the Commissioners of Public Works expect to be in a position to invite tenders for the building of the new school within a few weeks.
Is the Minister aware that the structural, as well as the sanitary, conditions of this school are disgraceful? This is a two-storey building with a very dangerous stairs leading to two classrooms. A pole has to prop up a falling ceiling in one of the ground floor classrooms.
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware of the structural defects, and that is one of the reasons we are going ahead with the new school.
Is the Minister aware that the parents in the Kilgarvan area are scared to send their children to this school? One of the reasons I want the school closed is the dangerous structural condition. Further, is the Minister aware that when it rains there is no access to the toilets?
Mr. R. Burke
The last report received in relation to the school stated it had been inspected and was reasonably comfortable and that the teachers appeared to be satisfied with the conditions.
Will the Minister state how long it will take before work can commence on the new school? At one stage the school manager was under the impression that the plans were being sent to tender but he was told by the Department that the village deserved a bigger and better school and that it would be necessary to redraw the plans.
Mr. R. Burke
This procedure has been undertaken and the stage has been reached where tenders may be expected immediately.
Would the Minister not agree that the fact that his Department decided to redraw the plans was regarded by the local people as nothing but a delaying tactic?
Mr. R. Burke
The delay was not the reason. It was to get the right size of school for the area. The Deputy will know I have some friends in Kilgarvan who keep me informed of these matters.