asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the hostel attached to Waterville Vocational School, which has been a great advantage to children who travel from a distance and who would otherwise have to pay for lodgings, has been closed down; and, if so, if he will have the hostel reopened and thus avoid hardship to poor students.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterville School Hostel.
The hostel referred to in the Deputy's question was originally established by the County Kerry Vocational Education Committee to enable students residing at a distance from Waterville to attend the vocational school in Waterville. I understand that the committee, at their meeting of the 10th June last decided on the advice of their chief executive officer, who had discussed the matter with the headmaster of the vocational school and with the local Parish Priest, that circumstances at Waterville no longer necessitated the maintenance of a residential hostel.
The question of the retention or the discontinuance of the hostel is entirely a matter for the County Kerry Vocational Education Committee and it would not be possible for me to request the committee to rescind their decision in the matter.