asked the Minister for Education if the views of the parents were obtained prior to the decision to close Altymachugh national school, Foxford, County Mayo; and if adequate transport will be provided for all children including those from the catchment of Dereen national school which was closed some years ago.
Written Answers. - School Transport Service.
108.
There was a meeting with the Altymachugh parents in September, 1975, which was attended by the district inspector of national schools, and it was decided after that meeting, in deference to the wishes of the parents, to postpone for one year the proposed amalgamation of the school with the schools in Foxford. This was done on the understanding that amalgamation would then be implemented if Altymachugh school were to decline in status to a one-teacher school in the meantime. Altymachugh school became a one-teacher school on 20th October, 1975, and the amalgamation is now, therefore, being put into effect. Adequate transport facilities are being provided for all the children concerned, including those in the Dereen closed school area.