School Enrolments

Thursday, 29 May 2014

Questions (36)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

36. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the board of management of a school (details supplied), with the support of parents and staff, has decided to enrol a junior infants class for September 2014 in order to secure the long-term future of the school in a situation of falling numbers of pupils and the school being only allowed to take students at second class; if he is aware that this enrolment decision did not receive the permission of the trustees or the patron; if he will accept the right of parents to choose what school their child can attend; if he will provide the necessary support for the school to implement the new policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23276/14]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I am aware of the proposal by the school referred to by the Deputy in April 2014 to change its status to a fully vertical boy's school i.e. junior infants to 6th class. However no formal proposal has been made to my Department.

The decision making authority for a change in school type belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. Accordingly, an application for a change of status must have Patron approval before it can be considered by the Department. On foot of a request for a meeting received by my Department in respect of the school concerned, my Department wrote to the Patron to ascertain his views in respect of the proposed change of status.

The Patron responded to my Department advising that the change of status proposed by the school concerned did not have Patron approval. I also understand that the Patron has communicated his decision in the matter to the Board of Management. In that context, the Department cannot further consider the matter and cannot agree a change of status that does not have Patron approval.