Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2004
135 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sisters of the Holy Faith have announced the closure of Haddington Road girls' school due to lack of funding; the steps he will take to ensure that the school remains open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4392/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been advised of the proposed closure on a phased basis of the school to which the Deputy refers. The Deputy will appreciate that a secondary school is a privately owned and managed institution and a decision to close such a school is a matter for the trustees.
My main concern in a school closure is to ensure that the best interests of the pupils are looked after in the period up to the closure and that there will be sufficient pupils places in existing schools in the general area for pupils who would have normally enrolled in the closing school. This process will involve consultation with all affected parties.
