asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of local anxiety with regard to a report that Vicarstown national school, County Laois, is to be closed; and whether he will give an assurance that this will not take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Closures
45.
Mr. O'Malley
Vicarstown is a small two-teacher school with an average enrolment of only 34 pupils. I am fully satisfied that the educational interests of these pupils would be much better served by transferring them to the larger schools in Stradbally. Accordingly proposals to that effect are being considered.
46.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the parents of the children attending Tiershanahan school, Ballyheigue, County Kerry, are very perturbed at the suggested closing of this school; and that they have formed a protest committee; and if he will now reconsider this matter as this school was erected only a few years ago.
Mr. O'Malley
The position in this case is that about the time that the question of carrying out a major scheme of improvements at the Tiershanahan school arose, a three-teacher school at Glenderry, which was opened in 1963, became, through a fall in enrolment, a two-teacher school. As the latter school contains all the modern amenities it was felt that the educational interests of the children from the two areas would best be served by adding a classroom to the Glenderry school, and having the children from Tiershanahan brought there by transport.
I am satisfied that this is, on educational grounds, a very sound proposal.
This is a new school which has excellent facilities, heating, hot water and so on. The attendance is above the average and the school is well maintained. It is within 100 yards of the county road. In all the circumstances, I would ask the Minister to reconsider his decision, because the parents in that locality are not in favour of having their children transferred to the school at Glenderry.
47.
asked the Minister for Education if it is the intention of his Department to close Templenacarriga national school, near Midleton, County Cork.
Mr. O'Malley
The question of closing Templenacarriga national school will be considered in a few years time when the matter of the future staffing will arise.