asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the future of second-level education in Passage West, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Educational Facilities.
24.
The original intention was that the vocational school and Convent of Mercy secondary school in Passage West should be absorbed into the proposed new community school in Carrigaline and agreement was reached accordingly with the school authorities concerned. Pending the provision of the Carrigaline community school the two schools in Passage West would continue to operate.
In the light of the probable growth in the school-going population in the Passage West area it has now been decided that if satisfactory arrangements are made for continuing suitable co-operation between the secondary and vocational schools recognition may be continued to both these schools after the opening of the Carrigaline community school.
The Minister's reply seems ambiguous. Under what circumstances or with what conditions will the two schools referred to in Passage West be allowed to continue? The Minister states that they may continue in certain circumstances. In other words, it appears to me to be a deliberately ambiguous statement. Could he be more clear?
I am sorry the Deputy thinks it is ambiguous. It is certainly not intended to be. One of the problems is that there must be co-operation between the Convent of Mercy secondary school and the vocational school in Passage with regard to certain courses and the use of facilities. If the co-operation is forthcoming and if both schools can agree on it, I am willing to let the two schools continue. As the Deputy probably knows, I have been down there. I have seen them and I have already told them that.
They were not sure of what the Minister said.
They were very sure of what I said. I made it very clear.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.