asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, owing to the closure of the primary school on Long Island, Schull, County Cork, two children are now deprived of educational facilities; and, if so, if he will take steps to provide residential school accommodation for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School.
37.
When grants were withdrawn from Long Island national school due to declining enrolments, it was decided to allow a grant of £90 per annum towards the maintenance of each of the children concerned to enable them to attend school on the mainland. The question of securing accommodation for the children on the mainland is a matter for the parents of the children in question.
Surely the Minister could provide residential school accommodation for the two children in question having regard to the fact that it is not possible for their parents to get accommodation on the mainland for them?
We are making further efforts to get accommodation for them. We have asked the parish priest, the manager of the former Long Island national school, to help to secure accommodation for these children.
The two children are not attending school since the Christmas recess. Would the Minister again consider getting accommodation for them? One child is of secondary school age but cannot get accommodation in any of the secondary schools; the other child is nine years and surely there is accommodation for that child in some residential school? I would appeal to the Minister to get residential school accommodation for the two children. I have tried this now through private representations for some months——
I am aware that the Deputy has been pressing this matter for some time, but I do not think this is just the way to approach it. However, I shall see what are the results of our representations to the manager and then, if necessary, I shall see what further I should do.