asked the Minister for Education whether he has received representations against the closing of Lackagh National School, and whether he is aware that it is at present serving 21 families, in which there are 60 children under 14 years of age; and whether he will reconsider this decision and reopen this school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lackagh National School.
As the average attendance at Lackagh National School fell below 35 last year and as there is another national school situated less than one and a half miles distant it was necessary under the regulations to consider whether the continuance of grants to Lackagh National School would be warranted following the recent retirement of the principal teacher. Inquiries were made which showed that there are 21 families in which there are 60 children under 14 years of age in the Lackagh school district, all of whom reside at a distance of not more than one and a half miles from a school other than Lackagh. I have received representations that the closing of Lackagh National School would cause hardship to some families and I am having these representations considered. In the meantime, however, grants will be continued to the school as a temporary arrangement.
I thank the Minister for that concession and would urge strongly on him that although the topographical features of the country might suggest that the journey of one and a half miles was a reasonable imposition on these children, the Minister, on investigation, will discover that it would be quite an unreasonable imposition on the children and that there is every prospect of the school average rising in the immediate future.
The Deputy understands that that is not a supplementary question?
I can say, is he aware of all those things?