Due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give the full details sought by the Deputy.
However, I can clarify that there is a standard procedure in relation to applications for the amalgamation of schools. To comply with this procedure, an application to amalgamate schools must be made by the Patron/s or Trustees of the schools concerned. It is necessary for this application to confirm that a consultation process has been carried out by the Patron/s or Trustees among the Boards of Management, parents and teachers. It must also indicate that these parties are in agreement to the amalgamation and that the Patron/s or Trustees consent to it. Correspondence from an individual school would not comply with this procedure and would not, therefore, be considered to be an application.