Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - County Mayo School.

Tony Killeen

Ceist:

177 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction proposals submitted by a body (details supplied) in County Mayo for the provision of a vocational education committee/Outreach community-based school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19932/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The initial application submitted to my Department in 1995 by the body referred to by the Deputy was for the establishment of a secondary school.

This application was rejected on the basis that there were insufficient pupils in the area to justify the establishment of a school. It was felt that the wide range of subject provision generally demanded could best be met by the existing schools in the region.

A renewed application for a post-primary education facility in this area, under the aegis of County Mayo Vocational Education Committee, was submitted to my Department some months ago. However, because of the time constraints involved, it was not possible to have the proposal examined and a decision given for the commencement of the 1996-97 school year.

An in-depth examination of the proposal is under way in my Department and a decision will be given as soon as possible.