Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jul 1995

Vol. 455 No. 5

Written Answers. - Closure of Galway School.

Noel Treacy

Question:

98 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Education the reason normal departmental criteria were not applied in the closure of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the serious hardship imposed on parents and children in this area; if she will ensure that the criteria attaching to amalgamated schools will be applied in this case, including proper school transport from the original school catchment to the new location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12514/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The primary school referred to by the Deputy was closed at the end of the 1993-94 school year because of the very low enrolment potential for the following school year. The indications were that the school would have had two pupils only in September, 1994. Accordingly, my Department had little option but to close the school.

I should mention that the possibility of amalgamation arose in 1992-93, but this was rejected unanimously by the parents. In the circumstances that this was a closure and not an amalgamation, the criteria relating to amalgamated schools could not be applied.