Vol. 307 No. 13
asked the Minister for Education if his Department has approved the provision of an extra classroom to cater for the increased attendance at Fintra national school, County Donegal, which has the support of all the parents who are opposed to any other course of action.
199.
asked the Minister for Education if it is his policy to close both Fintra and Commons national schools, County Donegal, and amalgamate them with Killybegs town national school; if he considers this in the best interests of the children; the steps he proposes to take to provide adequate facilities at Killybegs national school to cater for the increasing number of children on the present school roll, and to meet the needs of the added numbers caused by any such amalgamation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
200.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the Commons School Management Board at Killybegs, County Donegal, have decided to provide a new school with four classrooms to meet the increase in numbers on the school roll; and that this decision has the full backing of all the parents.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 199 and 200 together.
I understand that the Department of Education was assured in 1973 of local agreement for the amalgamation of Fintra and Commons national schools with Niall Mór national school, Killybegs.
It has recently been brought to my Department's attention that Fintra and Commons parents are now opposed to the closure of their schools. In view of this a survey is being carried out to determine the best way of catering for the educational needs of the children of the area.
In the meantime the question of providing accommodation at Fintra national school for an extra assistant is being actively pursued.
