asked the Minister for Education to state the conditions under which permission is given to children to transfer from one school to another at times other than on the days set down in Section 6 (4) of the School Attendance Act, 1926; whether it has been the practice of the Minister to give such permission on application and without good and sufficient reasons; and if such good and sufficient reasons are required before permission is given to transfer, to state what were the particular reasons put before the Minister and considered sufficient by him to justify the transference of the children, James and Michael McDonald, formerly pupils at Gortubber National School, Roll No. 1850, Co. Roscommon, to St. Mary's Monastery National School, Roll No. 14770, Co. Leitrim, on the 2nd August, 1930.
Written Answers. - School Attendance Act, 1926—Transference of Children.
Each application made to me for the exercise of the statutory power conferred on the Minister for Education under sub-section (4) of Section 6 of the School Attendance Act, to consent to the transfer of children to whom the Act applies at times other than those prescribed in that sub-section is considered on its merits. It is not practicable to lay down any general rules to govern the various cases that arise.
It has not been the practice to grant such applications without sufficient cause.
As a matter of general policy, I do not think that I should be justified in making public the reasons given by the parents of the children when a transfer is asked for.