asked the Minister for Education the reasons why he has suggested the abandonment of Castleiney national school, County Tipperary, and the transfer of pupils to Loughmore national school in view of the fact that the school concerned was erected in 1952.

Castleiney national school was erected in 1949 and is without water flushed sanitation. There is another national school in the parish in which Castleiney school is situated. This other school, which is located at Loughmore, is a four-roomed school and is at present a three-teacher school with averages which are continuing to fall. I am satisfied that the educational interests of the parish would best be served by amalgamating Castleiney school with the Loughmore school and providing in the latter a viable four teacher school.

Investigations on these lines are proceeding.

Will the Minister consult the Reverend Manager and the people interested, and other interested parties, in this area before he considers closing the school?

I did not hear all of the Deputy's supplementary question but I can assure him that in all cases the Reverend Manager is consulted and that any representations made by the parents are carefully considered.