asked the Minister for Education if she will make arrangements to meet the case put forward by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Caird, that her decision to reduce all second-level schools to five years without a transition year would have the inevitable effect of closing small rural Church of Ireland schools, thus depriving the minority religion of the opportunity to be educated in schools of their own religion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Second-Level Schools Cycle.
7.
I have had discussions with the Archbishop and other Protestant Bishops about the implications for Protestant schools of the five year cycle. I am at present considering the case made by them for the retention of a six-year cycle. I expect to be in a position to announce my decision in the matter in the near future.
In the light of the Minister's reply I am very glad to hear that she has had discussions with a view to taking very seriously the problems arising from this proposal. May I ask the Minister if she has taken into account that 15 of the 26 Counties of the Republic do not have any Protestant schools and that since 1966 the number of Protestant second level schools has been halved? The difficulty is that if they lose one-sixth of their staff those schools will inevitably close and the Protestant community, therefore, will be deprived of the right of education in schools of their own religion. Have these particular aspects been taken into account which I believe make a very special case for the group?
I have met twice with the relevant authorities as mentioned in the question. The particular factor which the Deputy has highlighted today is one which was brought to my attention. I agree with what the Deputy has said and, therefore, their case does merit close attention.