asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to sanction the provision of a senior cycle at Prosperous Vocational School, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Schools.
69.
Mr. R. Burke
The County Kildare Vocational Education Committee's application for permission to organise senior cycle classes in Prosperous is being considered by my Department at present in the context of the future organisation of second-level education in the Prosperous-Clane area.
Is the Minister aware that this request was made some months ago in the hope that a senior cycle might be granted and allowed to go ahead in the coming academic year? Can the Minister ensure that a decision will be made to allow this?
Mr. R. Burke
As the Deputy is aware, the problem is that some reorganisation of second-level education is necessary in the Prosperous-Clane area. Neither of the schools on its own is large enough to offer a wide range of subjects. We are watching the development of housing in the area and if we can come to some arrangement to provide senior cycle classes appropriate for all the pupils in the catchment area we will do so.
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andMr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to sanction the provision of a senior cycle at Rathangan post-primary school, County Kildare.
Mr. R. Burke
The numbers at present enrolled in the Rathangan school would not justify my approving a senior cycle in the school. The matter will be kept under review by my Department in the light of future enrolment trends.
Is the Minister aware that this request is of even longer standing than the previous one? All the parents in the Rathangan area are anxious to have this facility and they have made offers of help in every way possible to bring this about? Will the Minister bear this in mind?
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware of the desire of parents in many areas where there are small schools to have senior cycles but that must be balanced against the desirability of having a wide range of subjects available to pupils. Rathangan is only six miles from Kildare where there are three second-level schools and a wide range of subjects available.
Does this mean they will not be a senior cycle this year?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy can draw his own conclusions. In my statement I said the matter will be kept under review in the light of future enrolment plans. It is obviously increasing slightly and if it reaches a high figure it can be revived.