asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to the proposed new community school at Ballaly, Dublin 14, (a) whether his Department have yet acquired a site and, if so, where, (b) whether he has yet made any arrangements for the establishment of a board of management, (c) whether he proposes to involve any private interests in the management and, if so, which ones, (d) when the new school is to open and (e) whether inspectors of his Department have informed the staff and parents of one of the area's primary schools (name supplied) of developments towards the provision of post-primary education for their area.
Written Answers. - Dublin Schools.
79.
(a) The Department are in the process of acquiring a site for the new community school at Ballaly, Dublin, on land adjacent to the Dún Emer estate. The planning of the new school is proceeding satisfactorily and it is hoped to have the new building ready for occupation by September, 1978. (b) Arrangements have not yet been made for the establishment of a board of management for the school. The normal practice is that the board be constituted about 12 months prior to the opening of the school. (c) In accordance with the agreed arrangements the board of management will comprise two nominees of the Catholic religious authority, two nominees of the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee and two representatives of parents of children enrolled in the school. (d) The new school is scheduled to commence operation in September, 1978. (e) I announced, on 29th October, 1975, the names of a number of new community schools, including Ballaly, which are scheduled for completion in 1978. No arrangements were made for any further information to be conveyed to primary schools in the area.
80.
asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to the De La Salle boys' national school in Whitehall Road, Dublin, he is satisfied with the arrangements for teaching children with learning difficulties; and if he will indicate (a) the total enrolment in the school (b) the average class size and (c) the provision for remedial teaching.
There are two De La Salle schools for boys in the Rathfarnham area. There is a remedial teacher shared between the two schools, over and above the normal staffing quota. There is also a special class catering for mildly mentally handicapped pupils from both schools, staffed also outside the normal quota. My Department have agreed that as soon as the number of properly assessed children justifies the establishment of a second special class, this will be authorised. In school number 1 the enrolment is 373 and the average class size is 37.3 pupils. In school number 2, the enrolment is 212 and the average class size is 35.3 pupils.