asked the Minister for Education if she will make arrangements to provide additional accommodation at Laragh national school, Bandon, County Cork in order that it will be in place by 1 September next.
Written Answers. - County Cork Schools.
122.
The provision of a grant for additional accommodation at Laragh national school, Bandon, County Cork, hinges on the outcome of an application which may be made for approval to appoint a third teacher at the school. I shall advise the Deputy of the outcome of both of these matters in due course.
123.
asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been taken on the application from St. Mary's of the Isle school in Cork to be included in the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if she will consider allowing the retention of one teacher in view of the fact that the school is short only one pupil for the required quota.
An application from the school authorities for an additional teacher on grounds that the school is serving an area of disadvantage has been considered. However, my Department are not in a position to include additional schools in the programme at present. Neither is it possible to make an exception in the case of this school to the new regulations governing the staffing of national schools from September 1988.
124.
asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that the deeds for the old national school in Ovens, County Cork have been released; and if an agreed sale can be executed without further delay.
The Deputy is understood to refer to proceedings for the sale of the old Ovens national school premises, County Cork, in relation to which the release of the Minister's interest is sought. Particulars were recently received in my Department from the solicitors acting on behalf of the school authorities as to the value of the premises being sold and my Department are awaiting the advice of their own official valuers in the matter with a view to agreement with the school authorities as to repayment of the unexpired value of the grants paid towards the cost of the building. Subject to a satisfactory outcome of this matter, there will be no avoidable delay in giving the required release.