Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 4

Written Answers. - County Sligo School Closures.

Edward Nealon

Question:

247 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education if he will give an assurance that there will be no further closing of vocational education schools in County Sligo as happened in Tubbercurry at the beginning of this school year.

Edward Nealon

Question:

248 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the fact that (a) Tubbercurry vocational school is now, to all intents and purposes, closed as a second level institution and (b) the school building itself is in excellent condition equipped with a variety of facilities not now being used, and in view of the special needs of the area where unemployment and emigration is very high, he will make plans for the establishment there of special apprenticeship courses, short term courses and facilities for the training of people for whom second level education would not be the preferred choice.

Edward Nealon

Question:

249 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the plans for the future use of Tubbercurry vocational school, County Sligo which has been effectively closed as a second level vocational education school.

Minister for Education (Mr. Davern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248 and 249 together.

The optimum provision to be made for post-primary education in a particular centre is determined in the light of a number of factors including the anticipated demand for school places in the short and long term and the number and condition of existing school buildings. This may involve the rationalisation of facilities and, in particular circumstances, the closing of existing schools.

The future use of the Tubbercurry Vocational School building is a matter in the first instance for consideration by County Sligo vocational education committee and for the formulation by them of proposals within the committee's educational and financial schemes.