Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - Closure of Cork Secondary School.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

110 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department is proposing the closure of a secondary school (details supplied) in County Cork; if her attention has been drawn to the devastating consequences of such a closure; if her attention has further been drawn to the objections and outrage felt by the parents and pupils of the area; the transport facilities, if any, which will be put in place for pupils should this closure go ahead; and if she will reconsider the position. [24109/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As I pointed out to the Deputy when he raised the matter on the Adjournment on Wednesday, 27 November 1996, the school referred to is privately owned by a religious order of nuns. Any decision in relation to its future, including a decision to close, is a matter for the management authorities of the school in the first instance. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that, if the school closes, adequate alternative arrangements are put in place for the pupils of the area.

It was only very recently that my Department received notification of the proposed closure from the school authorities. The notification indicates that what is intended is the phasing out of the school over a number of years starting next September, when there would be no intake of pupils into first year. Existing pupils will be allowed to complete their current cycle in the school.

Arrangements have been made for representatives of the school management to meet officials from my Department in the near future. Following this meeting, my Department will identify the necessary steps to be taken to ensure that suitable alternative arrangements, including transport provision, are made for the post-primary education of pupils from the area.