asked the Minister for Education if he will hold an immediate inquiry into the outbreak of illness at the national school in Rush, County Dublin, affecting 30 pupils on two separate occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The matter raised by the Deputy is essentially one for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance and I understand that an investigation is being carried out by the board at present.

I am, of course, concerned about the matter and I am keeping in close touch with the situation.

Could the Minister tell us how he is keeping in close touch with the situation? Has he had any reports on this matter from any of his inspectors?

Yes.

Did the Minister do anything after the first outbreak of illness which caused the closure of the school?

There was an inspector at the school within 24 hours.

Could the Minister tell us what the result of the report has been?

If the Deputy puts down a question I will get the information for him.

I asked the Minister to make a statement in the matter. Will the Minister not accept that it is reasonable to expect in a statement on this matter some information based on the inquiry which apparently has already been made?

As the Deputy is aware, it is mainly a health matter. My Department and I are not competent to assess health matters.

Can the Minister not tell the Dáil what his inspector has told him?

The Deputy should put down a separate question.

Is that not relevant within the terms of the question?

The question refers to an inquiry.

The Minister told us that he has already made an inquiry. Are we not entitled to ask what the result of that inquiry has been?

If the Deputy puts down a question or writes to me, I will give him the results of the inspector's report. Needless to say the inspector could only deal with it as a matter of school organisation. The health authorities were dealing with it as a matter of health.

Could the Minister tell us on whose nod it is whether the school reopens or not? Is it the decision of the Minister or is it the decision of the health board?

I understand it would be for the medical officer of the health board as it was a health question.

Would the Minister have to wait for the approval of the health board before deciding to reopen the school again?

The health board and the Department would be working in collaboration.