I propose to take Questions Nos. 539, 540 and 546 together.
A decision was taken by the Trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers that it will close in June 2007. This decision was taken because, in line with demographic changes in the area, the school has experienced a steady decline in enrolments in recent years. Current enrolments in feeder primary schools indicate that this decline will continue.
In fact, a general decline in enrolments in the area where the school is located has resulted in spare capacity of an estimated 2,300 places at post-primary level. Coupled with the decline in enrolments, the Department was also concerned about the ability of the school in question to offer a broad and balanced curriculum given the relatively small number of pupils enrolled. In all of the circumstances, the Department concurred with the Trustees decision to close the school.
Given the extent of spare capacity at post-primary level in the general area, the Department does not envisage any difficulty in transferring pupils securing alternative places. Normally a closing school assists its pupils to secure places in the event of any difficulty arising. The Deputy will be aware that the decision as to which subjects to offer is made at the level of the individual school, subject to compliance with my Department's regulations concerning provision of the core curriculum. Demand will of course depend on the number of students that want to take other subject options.
My Department is currently considering a request from the Trinity Access Programme to establish links with another school in the area. In addition to the School Completion Project referred to by the Deputy, there are six other SCP projects in the area, involving ten post primary schools and their feeder primary schools. The National Coordination Team for the School Completion Programme will work with these projects to ensure that any pupils currently targeted for support in the SCP project referred to by the Deputy and who enrol in other schools involved in the School Completion Programme, will continue to receive support according to their needs.
With regard to the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, there are two other schools in the Dublin 5 area offering this programme, Chanel College in Coolock Village and St. John Of God Secondary School in Artane. In addition there are several schools in the surrounding area which offer the programme, including O'Connell School on North Richmond Street, Mount Carmel Secondary School on Kings Inn Street, Plunket College in Whitehall, Larkin Community College on Champions Avenue, Marino College in Fairview, Margaret Aylward Community College in Whitehall, Rosmini Community School in Drumcondra, The Donahies Community School on Streamville Road, and Colaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock.
