Vol. 491 No. 6
286 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future development of primary education in the Bishopstown area, County Cork; if he will confirm that Scoil Cholumbain is being closed down; the arrangements, if any, made for the pupils of the school; and if he will make a statement on the future use of the school. [12734/98]
There are currently six primary schools, including the gaelscoil, serving the needs of the Bishopstown-Wilton area of Cork. Within the past year my Department initiated a consultative process with the two an Spioraid Naoimh schools, Scoil Cholumbáin and Scoil Therese, with a view to establishing a basis for rationalisation. This initiative arose from the fact that enrolments in two of the schools had declined significantly in recent years and there is a need to provide satisfactory permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Uí Riada, which has been in temporary accommodation since its establishment. During the course of the consultative process an urgent need to make provision for special needs pupils emerged.
The outcome is that agreement has been reached for Scoil Columbáin and Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh boys school to amalgamate in the Spioraid Naomh school complex from next September. The necessary steps are being taken to ensure the availability of sufficient accommodation to enable the amalgamation to take place.
