asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans for the building of a new secondary school in the Togher area of Cork because of the increase in population there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Secondary Education
15.
Mr. R. Burke
Land acquired by the vocational education committee in the Togher area is being reserved as a site for a post-primary school to meet the future needs of this developing area.
Could I ask the Minister if he is satisfied that there are sufficient places in Cork at present for post-primary students?
Mr. R. Burke
Do I understand the Deputy correctly to say in Cork or in the area referred to in the question?
In respect of the area concerned. Is he satisfied that there are sufficient places for post-primary students?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy's supplementary is confined to the area specified in the question, I am informed that there is adequate provision for post-primary education.
Would the Minister be prepared to send an inspector from his Department to Cork to discuss this with the school authorities so as to ensure that every post-primary student seeking admission to a school will be admitted? There is some confusion about it at the moment.
Mr. R. Burke
I am so prepared. In fact, I had representations only last evening from Deputy Liam Burke of that constituency and I shall bear both his representations and those of Deputy Wyse in mind when we ask our inspector to go down.
If, as the Minister says, there are adequate places available in the area for post-primary students, is the statement of the Lord Mayor of Cork on Monday night last incorrect? I am sure the Minister is aware of the statement he made.
I do not think we should draw another personality into this matter.
I am not interested in the personality. I am interested in the statement.
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy will appreciate I could not possibly be aware of all that is said at all meetings around the country.
I did not get an answer to my question. Would the Minister be prepared——
Mr. R. Burke
I said I would, that following the representations of the Deputy and Deputy Liam Burke I would be prepared to send an inspector down to investigate the matter.
Further arising——
This must be the last question.
I think post-primary education is a more important matter than deciding on the last question.
The Chair will decide that.
I am not interested in who made the statement, but a statement was made.
Are we having a statement or a question?
I am asking the Minister if the statement made that adequate post-primary facilities are available in that entire area is incorrect, or are there adequate places in that area for post-primary applicants?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy is taking advantage of me here, because he is talking about a statement I have not heard and about a geographic area of which I am not precisely aware. Therefore, I hope I satisfy all the Deputies by saying I shall send an inspector down to investigate the whole problem. I understand there is a 26-acre site available to the Ballyphehane Vocational Education Committee for future requirements in that area. Perhaps the Deputies would be patient and allow me to send an inspector down.
I am not taking advantage of the Minister. I agree the position refers to a school in Bishopstown, but the fact that Togher and other areas are neighbouring areas is causing the problem.