Michael Ring
Ceist:449 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the Stella Maris Secondary School, Ballycastle, County Mayo. [15900/98]
Written Answers. - School Closures.
Michael Ring
Ceist:450 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Stella Maris Secondary School, Ballycastle, County Mayo, will remain open for the next five years. [15901/98]
Michael Ring
Ceist:451 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement outlining the future of the Stella Maris Secondary School, Ballycastle, County Mayo. [15902/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 451, inclusive, together.
The trustees of the Ballycastle secondary school announced, on 1 October 1997, that the school would be phased out over a two year period commencing in 1998. There would be no intake of new pupils in September 1998 and the school would close in the year 2000. The reasons given for closure were the low enrolment in the school and the major financial burden in sustaining it. The intention was that the pupils who would normally have enrolled in the school, would be accommodated in Lacken Cross Vocational School, in the future.
I met with a deputation representing the parents of pupils at the school on 14 January last. The deputation stated that they intended to establish a management structure and hoped to rent the existing school building with a view to continuing the secondary school. I indicated to the deputation that, as soon as they could confirm the availability of the building and the setting up of the necessary management structures, I would urgently consider their application.
My Department has not, to date, received confirmation regarding the availability of the school building and establishment of management structures.