asked the Minister for Education his plans for the future of Killusty National School, Fethard, County Tipperary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary School.
37.
The question of the future provision to be made for the pupils of Killusty school district is under consideration in my Department.
It is hoped to reach a decision in the matter in the near future.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why an inspector was sent down to the school?
That is a separate question.
With all due respect, it is part of the question. I put down a question and I got a non-answer. The Department have some intentions towards Killusty school. They have already closed Killurney school on the other side of Slievenamon. Now they want to close the only remaining national school on this side of Slievenamon. I want to know what are the Parliamentary Secretary's intentions?
Killusty is a two-teacher school with 19 boys and 13 girls on the rolls. I understand that the date of retirement of the female assistant teacher was reached on 30th June, 1975. As would be normal in the case of a two-teacher school, the Department sent an inspector down to investigate the situation. The inspector's report, which contains an amount of information about local feeling on the matter, is now being considered.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a survey carried out in the parish of Killusty showed that the minimum number of pupils will be 31 and the maximum will be 35 over the next five years? Therefore, there is no trouble in deciding what his intention should be, that is, to keep the school open.
The matter is being considered by the Department in view of all the information collected by the inspector. I have no doubt that a decision will be conveyed as soon as possible.
Like the ballad, they will be alone all alone in the valley of Slievenamon.
What I am afraid of is that they will not leave us alone.
Question No. 38.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell me his intentions, good or bad, towards this school?
I can tell the Deputy that no decision has been reached.
That is not what I asked.
When a decision is reached it will be conveyed.
Will I be told at the same time as others?
I cannot say. If the Deputy makes representations no doubt he will be informed.
I am making representations now.
I will try to see that the Deputy is informed.
Will the equivalent of Mother Hegarty be told first?