asked the Minister for Education whether his attention has been directed to the overcrowding of many of the National Schools in the Saorstát; whether he will state the areas where such conditions prevail and the numbers of schools so affected; whether he will also state the numbers of classes in our National Schools (a) in which there are more than thirty and not more than forty pupils to each teacher; (b) more than forty and not more than fifty to each teacher, and (c) more than fifty to each teacher.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OVERCROWDING OF NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
The returns recently obtained from the inspectors show that apart from the question of the erection of new schools, approximately 550 schools required to be enlarged so as to provide additional accommodation for about 17,000 children. The schools which need enlargement are not confined to particular areas but are distributed over the country generally. The approximate cost of these extensions alone was estimated at £370,000.
In respect of 50 of these cases grants amounting to £40,000 have been sanctioned to provide additional floor space for 2,230 children.
The need for a large expenditure for school building purposes is due to a certain extent to the inadequate provision made for this service by the former administration, but particularly to the suspension of building grants during the European War. The lack of school accommodation has been most severely felt in the Dublin area, since in addition to the causes already referred to there has been here a rapid increase in the school-going population in recent years. Special efforts have been made to meet this need. In the city and suburbs State grants have been sanctioned during the past four years to the amount of £108,000 towards the erection of new schools at Blackrock, Sallynoggin, Drumcondra, Marino, North Circular Road, Killester and Inchicore, and for the enlargement, reconstruction and other works of improvement in various schools in and around Dublin.
The question of the establishment of further new schools is at present under consideration.
The total amount of grants sanctioned for the building and improvement of schools in the Saorstát for each financial year since the 1st April, 1922, has been as follows:—
|
Year1922-23 |
£43,533 |
|
,,1923-24 |
£25,139 |
|
,,1924-25 |
£54,643 |
|
,,1925-26 |
£46,871 |
|
,,1926-27 |
£127,943 |
|
From 1/4/'27 to date |
£85,499 |
The answer to the second part of the Deputy's question requires the compilation of elaborate returns, which would take a considerable time to prepare.
In view of the allegation that the low standard of education possessed by many juveniles leaving our primary schools is due to class overcrowding I would be glad, owing to the importance of the matter, if the Minister could obtain the information as to the extent of this overcrowding. I quite recognise that some time must elapse before the information can be obtained.
Certainly.