asked the Minister for Education what is the position regarding the erection of a new school at Culleens, Ballina, County Mayo for which a site has been acquired and the local contribution has been collected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Schools.
76.
My Department is carrying out a full investigation with a view to determining the future arrangements for the provision of suitable educational facilities for the children living in the area of Culleens, Ballina, County Mayo. Pending the completion of that investigation, further consideration in regard to the building of a new school has been postponed.
Is the Minister aware that this school is one of the best two-teacher schools in Ireland and the people in the area are definitely anxious that it should be kept there,
I am aware of both points, since the Deputy has made them very forcibly to me, but I would point out that the matter is at present under investigation. No decision has yet been made.
Is it not a fact that, while matters like this are under investigation, the children must continue in cold, insanitary conditions in Culleens school?
The Deputy is no doubt aware that, if the school were to be replaced in the ordinary way, the children would continue in the present conditions for a considerable time; and, if there were a proposal to transfer the children to another school, this could be implemented very much more quickly and the children would be in more favourable conditions much more quickly than they would be if we proceeded with the building of the school. That is not the only factor.
Is it not a fact that if the children of this area were transferred into Ballina, which is the only place to which they could be transferred, that would mean overcrowding in Ballina and would involve the building of extra rooms there? Is the Minister not aware that in his Department at the moment there is an offer to build a two-teacher school much nearer to Ballina than Culleens school or does one end of the Department not know what the other end is doing?
I agree with the first part of the Deputy's question. It may be that the Deputy can see a proposal only to transfer the children to Ballina, but there are other possibilities which are being investigated.
What are they?
The matter is under investigation at the moment. It is being dealt with in conjunction with the school authority and, in due course, whatever arises out of investigation and consultation, the Deputy will no doubt be aware of it before the matter is finalised and he can make any representations he wishes. But I should not like him to think that the only possibility is transfer to Ballina. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. This illustrates a point I have been making here and elsewhere that each case is treated on its merits and, in the case to which the Deputy refers, the position was such that the decision was in favour of a two-teacher school. There are such cases.
For the life of me, I cannot see the difference between Culleens and the place in question but, in order to assist Deputy Calleary, Deputy O'Hara and myself in our talks with the local people in regard to this matter, would the Minister tell us what other places the Department has in mind to send these children, if it is not Ballina where there is overcrowding already?
I do not think it would be proper for me to do that until the matter has been discussed with the manager, who is away at present.
It is a very simple question. What other places are in mind, if not Ballina?
I have already told the Deputy I think it inappropriate to discuss that until the matter has been discussed with the manager of Culleens national school, who is not at present available.
This is reaching the status of almost Civil Defence secrecy.
I can say I discussed the matter with the manager and he is definitely in favour of having a new school erected at Culleens.
Of course. United we stand.
I said the manager was away; I should have said the parish priest.
There is no parish priest in Ballina. It is the Bishop.
77.
asked the Minister for Education what are the causes of the delay in building the new national school at Listellick, Tralee, County Kerry; and when he expects this school to be built.
Sketch plans for a new national school at Listellick have been furnished to the Reverend Manager.
A grant towards the cost of the erection of the school will be sanctioned when satisfactory evidence of title to the site has been submitted and when agreement has been reached on the local contribution to be provided.
I am, therefore, unable to say at present when the erection of the new school will offered.
There has been no undue delay in the case since the site for the new school was offered.
78.
asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans before his Department for a central school in the Enniskean parish, County Cork; and, if so, where it will be located.
There are no plans before my Department at present for a central school in the Enniskean parish.
It is my policy, however, in the educational interests of the children concerned, that smaller schools should, wherever feasible, be discontinued, and provision made for their pupils in larger schools to which they would be brought by transport services.
My Department is arranging to have investigations carried out in the near future to ascertain how this policy may be put into effect, most conveniently, in the Enniskean parish.
The Reverend Manager will be consulted in the matter.
Would the Minister explain to the House what he understands by small schools? Does he wish the House to understand these are the two-teacher mixed schools or two-teacher schools which cater separately for boys and girls?
One-and two-teacher schools.
Two-teacher mixed schools?
Yes, if the Deputy means mixed boys and girls with only two teachers. When I refer to small schools, I mean one- or two-teacher schools.