asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to replace the existing national school at Cuilagurrain, Castlehill, Ballina, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Schools.
161.
Cuilagurrain national school is a two-teacher school and I am satisfied that it would be in the best educational interests of the children that they should be catered for in a larger school. I am having an investigation made as to how its amalgamation with another school or schools in the parish might be effected.
In the meantime, my Department has sanctioned a grant towards the cost of the provision of a prefabricated classroom which will relieve overcrowding. The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to advise the Reverend Manager regarding the provision of the classroom and also to recommend what works might be carried out to the existing building to render it suitable for such period as it will continue to be required.
162.
asked the Minister for Education when, in deference to the wishes of the parents, he proposes to direct the re-opening of Doolough national school, County Mayo.
Doolough national school has been closed since 16th January, 1967, and a transport service has been set up to convey the pupils to the larger school at Geesala, which is in the same parish.
I am satisfied that this arrangement is in the best interests of the children concerned and therefore, I do not propose to have Doolough national school re-opened.
Would the Minister not consider that the views of the parents should be predominant in this matter? The majority of the parents want to retain the Doolough National School for their children. Is that not the fact?
The information at my disposal indicates that at a meeting of the parents, only two of the parents indicated that they were opposed to the proposed amalgamation.
The inspectors of the Department—I assume that they were inspectors of the Department—visited the area. They visited it at a time when many of the men could not be present. All the mothers of the children were there. Two mothers were vocal and the visiting gentlemen came to the conclusion, because the other mothers did not speak at all, that they were in favour of amalgamation. That is the position.
Yes.
The three Deputies for North Mayo are being summoned to a meeting of the parents on next Sunday afternoon with a view to doing something about this matter. I would urge the Minister not to close the door finally, that here is something that may be very awkward.
Could I urge the Deputy and his colleagues to urge the parents concerned at least to give this a trial and see how it works out? I think I could say on behalf of the Minister for Education that the door would not be closed on the question of re-opening, if there is a trial given to the present arrangement and let everybody see how it works out. I do not think this is unreasonable.
I have a very keen personal interest in this school and I have tried very hard at local level to bring about a situation such as the Minister is now asking for, without result. There is nobody availing of the transport except one child. Children have been at home since 16th January and are likely to remain at home unless we ask them to use the transport without leaving them under the impression that they would have to continue it, by indicating to them that the matter would be reconsidered if the transport did not appear satisfactory. This, of course, is a Gaeltacht school and has been all down along the line a Gaeltacht school. It has been in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht. Geesala school used to be in the Breach-Ghaeltacht. In 1966, these distinctions were abolished and Geesala was brought into the Gaeltacht. Even though I must accept some responsibility for it, I do not think it is quite as much Gaeltacht as the village of Doolough.
I would undertake on behalf of the Minister for Education that if a fair trial is given to the transport system to let everybody see how good or how bad the system is, the Minister would at the end of a reasonable period of operation, not before the end of the current school year, I would say, reconsider the whole matter.
Is it the opinion of the Minister and the Department of Education generally that the children would benefit as a result of the proposals which the Department feels so keenly about, that is, providing transport for the children? Is this the Department's idea, that the children would benefit in the long run?
The whole object is to try to provide a better opportunity for the children of that district.
On their record, I do not think the Minister is able to provide a better opportunity.
We are talking of all the children.
Yes, right down.
Not the brilliant past pupils.