Micheál Martin
Question:139 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction the establishment of a second level school in Newport, County Mayo. [23024/96]
Written Answers. - Newport (Mayo) School.
An application for the establishment of a secondary school in Newport, County Mayo, was initially submitted to my Department by the Newport & District Development Company in 1995. This application was rejected on the basis that there were insufficient pupils in the area to justify the establishment of a school. It was felt that the wide range of subject provision generally demanded could best be met by the existing schools in the region.
A renewed application for a post-primary education facility in this area, under the aegis of County Mayo vocational education committee, was submitted to my Department some months ago. However, because of the time constraints involved, it was not possible to have the proposal examined and a decision given for the commencement of the 1996-97 school year.
An in-depth examination of the proposal is under way and an official from the planning section of my Department will visit the area in the near future to meet members of the Newport & District Development Company and County Mayo vocational education committee. A decision on the application will be given as soon as possible thereafter.