Schools Amalgamation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Ceisteanna (284)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

284. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a meeting took place in 2012 or 2013, on the proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will outline the persons present at the meeting and the persons represented; if representatives of his Department attended the meeting; if representatives of the board of management of each school attended the meeting; the names of the persons who represented each school and their positions therein; if representatives of any other organisation attended the meeting; the outcome of the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not attend a meeting in respect of the proposed amalgamation of the two schools, in question, in 2013. My Department did however meet with the school authorities, at their request, in July 2012. At this meeting, the school authorities gave details of their proposed future plans for the schools in question including the option of amalgamation. The school authorities were advised that any proposal to amalgamate schools must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders and follow decisions taken at local level. In that regard, it was noted that whilst the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, this decision is subject to the approval of the Minister. The school authorities were also advised that any such request would need to clarify the implications of the amalgamation proposal, including any requests for capital funding.

In view of the requirement to confirm the names of the persons present at the meeting held in July 2012 and the persons they were representing, the further information sought by the Deputy in relation to the attendees concerned will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.