The Board of Management is responsible for the direct governance of a school and for the use of school resources and facilities subject to the approval of the Patron. The giving of consent to the use of classrooms in a school is a matter for the Patron of the school.
My Department does not have a role relating to the agreement between the school and the group in question.
The City of Dublin Education and Training Board has been working with TARGET for a long time and has been providing further education and training in Donaghmede for more than 20 years. It was located in St. Kevin's school, Newbrook Road, Donaghmede, and it provides a wide range of courses. They include services that include counselling, child care and many community services. They also are supported in respect of adult education provision by the CDETB.
I am aware of the pressure of school enrolments on St. Kevin's junior school because it has experienced a 57% increase in the period between 2011 and 2015 and that trend is continuing. In that context, the school submitted an application in June 2015 to provide for the refurbishment of existing spaces to create two classroom-sized spaces to create a mainstream classroom and a resource room for special education. My Department examined and approved that application and the funding was provided.
I am aware of the difficulties that have arisen in relation to accommodation for the group and last week I requested CDETB to make contact with representatives of the group to discuss possible options.
