asked the Minister for Education the inner city schools in Dublin which are likely to face closure in the next (a) 12 months, (b) five years and (c) ten years as a result of planning now being pursued by her.
Written Answers. - Dublin Inner City School Closures.
106.
It is not possible to state, at this point, how many inner city schools in Dublin may close or be involved in amalgamation arrangements in the period ahead.
The closure and/or amalgamation of primary schools is normally, in the first instance, a matter for local consideration. As part of this process, boards of management are required to consult with parents and teachers. My Department, as a matter of course, review the situation of schools with declining enrolments.
However, arising out of recent discussions on the question of pupil-teacher ratios, this process will be intensified and planning for this purpose will now begin.
In the post primary area one inner city school will close this year while another will be relocated in the suburbs. I wish to point out to the Deputy that this arises from the fact that the enrolments for inner city schools has been declining.
I am not in a position to say how many schools will be similarly affected in the next five to ten years.