Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
825. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) remains as a recognised national school with her Department; the roll number of the school; if the property is to be disposed of; if her Department has the means to recoup or otherwise retrieve capital grants or otherwise expended in the building development and the maintenance of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19437/22]
View answerI wish to advise the deputy that the decision making authority for a school closure is the Patron of the school, and this is subject to the agreement of the Department. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
Following a decrease in enrolments and a nil enrolment return for September 2019, the Department approved the request from the Patron to close the school in 2019 (roll number 18195R). The Patron was also informed that notification issued to all relevant sections in the Department to withdraw recognition and grants from the school in question.
When a school building becomes vacant as a result of closure or amalgamation, the future use of the building is in the first instance a matter for the Patron. When the Patron applies to the Minister for permission to either use the property for community purposes or to sell it, my Department makes an assessment as to whether the property is required for future educational use. If it is concluded that the property has no viable future educational use, my Department permits that it may be used for community or other purposes or may be sold. It is a matter for the Patron to decide if the property is to be disposed of.
In relation to recouping capital expenditure, it is a policy decision of the Department as to whether or not pro-rata recoupment of capital expenditure is sought when a surrender or partial surrender is applied for. No pro-rata recoupment will be required if the partial divesting is for land only. Decisions are made on receipt of such requests on a case by case basis taking account of issues relating to each individual school.
