Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Amalgamation.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

1181 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science the consequences for second level education in the Mountrath area of County Laois resulting in the closure of the Patrician College, Ballyfin and the proposed amalgamation with a school in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1602/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

For the purpose of second level education, Ballyfin is included in the Portlaoise catchment area. The majority of pupils who attend the Patrician College, Ballyfin, are from the Portlaoise area.

Mountrath is an adjoining but separate second level education centre. There are two second level schools, one secondary and one vocational, serving the needs of the area. Some pupils who attended primary schools in the Mountrath catch ment area currently attend the Patrician College in Ballyfin.

The planning section of my Department is reviewing the provision of second-level places in Mountrath in the context of the impending developments in the Portlaoise catchment area.