Tony Killeen
Ceist:22 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Education her policy regarding the provision of adequate classrooms and other accommodation for amalgamating schools; and the longest delay in providing such accommodation. [1613/97]
Written Answers. - School Amalgamation.
Policy towards the amalgamation of schools is set firmly in the context of the overall policy as regards school provision which takes account of considerations such as educational quality and providing for an appropriate choice of level and type of education. Rationalisation or amalgamations arise where there is a need to create schools of adequate size to offer a balanced programme of academic and practical subjects and to meet the needs arising from the different aspirations and abilities of pupils in an area. Account is taken of a variety of factors, including demographic trends, curricular policies and local community needs and the availability of resources for the school capital programme. Amalgamation of schools is dependent on the agreement of the patrons, trustees, school managements, parents and teachers involved.
A policy of amalgamating smaller schools into larger school units has been pursued by my Department since the late 1960s. Additional classroom accommodation, if required to facilitate the amalgamation of two or more schools, may be provided either by extending one of the existing school buildings or by providing a new school on a new site.
The timescale for the provision of suitable accommodation can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of individual cases. In general, however, the process takes a number of years, from initial examination of amalgamation possibilities and enrolment projection to site acquisition, project design, construction and completion. Where an agreement to amalgamate schools has been put in place, there are a number of factors which may delay the progress of a particular project, such as site difficulties and budgetary constraints.
Because of the declining demographic trends, rationalisation of small schools will continue to be a major issue in the future. In this connection, I have established a Commission on School Accommodation Needs, arising from a commitment given in the White Paper on Education, Charting Our Education Future. As part of its remit, the commission will examine and make recommendations regarding appropriate criteria for the recognition of new schools and the rationalisation of existing schools. The commission's recommendations in this regard will form the basis of a comprehensive policy review in this area.