asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being caused in the neighbourhood of Granabeg, County Wicklow, because of the fact that the Granabeg school has been closed for about the last three months; and if he will state why the school is not open, and when it will be reopened.

The school at Granabeg has not been in operation for some time owing to the absence of the teacher.

The appointments of teachers in national schools rest with the managers subject to the regulations and the case is being investigated with a view to the appointment of a teacher and the reopening of the school.

Could the Minister give me any idea as to when there will be a possibility of opening this school, as he must realise it is a very serious matter for the children in that district? There was a difficulty before on account of the bridge across the river, but that has been put right; now there is no school.

The manager was communicated with more than a month ago, I think.