Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021
110. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the status of the proposal by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board to amalgamate schools (details supplied); if she is satisfied that adequate community consolation has been carried out regarding this proposal; if she has received requests to review the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6165/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the recommendation to amalgamate the schools in question has been accepted following detailed consideration of the proposal from Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, patron of both schools and the submissions received from the groups referred to by the Deputy. The recommendation from the patron to amalgamate the existing schools into a new building, will now proceed.
The Patron advised that an invitation to consultation meetings was forwarded to the Boards of Management of both schools in question and to all representative groups identified in both communities. In total, eleven groups were identified and meetings arranged between February and July 2019. The Patron advised that the majority of the meetings proceeded and the majority views taken into consideration. A small number of meetings were cancelled by the group/association concerned and did not proceed.
The two schools will continue to operate from the existing school sites until a new school building is provided. It is envisaged that the construction phase for the new amalgamated school will be facilitated with investment available during the second half of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027.
The following revised reply was received on 8 February 2021.
As the Deputy is aware, the recommendation to amalgamate the schools in question was accepted following detailed consideration of the proposal received from Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, patron of both schools and the submissions received from the groups referred to by the Deputy. The Patron advised that an invitation to consultation meetings was forwarded to the Boards of Management of both schools in question and to all representative groups identified in both communities. In total, eleven groups were identified and meetings arranged between February and July 2019. The Patron advised that the majority of the meetings proceeded. A small number of meetings were cancelled by the group/association concerned and did not proceed. I have received further representations on the amalgamation and will be giving these due consideration.
The two schools will continue to operate from the existing school sites until a new school building is provided. It is envisaged that the construction phase for the new amalgamated school will be facilitated with investment available during the second half of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027.
