asked the Minister for Education if he has made a decision on the provision of improved post primary education facilities in Kells, County Meath, on the basis of an agreement reached some time ago between all the school authorities in Kells; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Post Primary Education Facilities.
17.
A joint proposal from the County Meath Vocational Education Committee and the authorities of the Sisters' of Mercy and Christian Brothers' secondary schools in Ceanannus Mór relating to the re-organisation of second-level education in Ceanannus Mór is under consideration in my Department. My Department will be communicating with the three school authorities concerned in the matter as soon as possible.
How long are the Minister's Department in receipt of this proposal from the school authorities concerned and why has the Minister not yet made a decision?
The question of the future organisation of second-level education has been under discussion and consideration for the past five years, so the Deputy need not be too surprised if I take a few months to consider it.
Would the Minister agree that the proposal submitted to his Department early this year was the first proposal agreed by all the school authorities and that the problem during the previous five years was that there was not agreement between the various school authorities? Given that such agreement now exists, it behoves the Department to take a quick decision in the matter. Is the Minister further aware that the fact that the Department have not taken the decision is holding up progress in Meath and in Kells?
I can assure the Deputy that I will not hold up progress in Ceanannus Mór.
When will a decision be taken?
In the very near future.
In view of the fact that the question referred to "Kells" and the Minister used the name "Ceanannus Mór", do we take it that in future we refer to the Book of Kells as the Book of Ceanannus Mór?
The official name of the town is Ceanannus Mór and the post office use that name.
I know that. I am asking if in future we should refer to the Book of Kells as the Book of Ceanannus Mór?
Yes.
In the case of Navan one did not abide by the official name. One uses one's own name in these cases.
We will not break out in a rash about it.