School Closures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2016

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Ceisteanna (59)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

59. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a recent issue in Dublin-Rathdown whereby parents and staff at two schools recently learned of closures and relocations via social media and press reports; if there is a process whereby those impacted by school closures, builds or relocations, namely, parents, teachers, staff, community and local elected representatives, are given up-to-date information on any such closures, builds or relocations before this information is published on social media or the press; if there is a process, the details of same; if it will be followed through in future; if no process is in place, his plans to implement one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35187/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, the two schools, referred to, comprise a post-primary fee-charging Catholic Girls’ school which is recognised by my Department and a private fee-charging Junior (primary) school. As the junior school concerned is a wholly owned private school that is not recognised by my Department, my Department has no role in relation to the school concerned.

In the case of the post primary school, my Department was advised by the Patron that as the school is no longer viable, it had decided to close the school. The Patron advised that it is intended to close the school on a phased basis in 2019 so as to enable the current cohort of post-primary students to complete their current cycle of Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate during the wind-down period. In general, the initiative for any school closure may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Board of Management and Patron(s). A proposal by the Patron to close a school is generally managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of the relevant stakeholders.

I am aware that in the case of any proposed school closure, builds or relocations that there can be significant sensitivities involved and that these, including information for all the relevant stakeholders, are best addressed through a process of local level dialogue. I therefore consider that as in the case referred to by the Deputy it is a matter for each Patron Body concerned to determine how best this local dialogue should be conducted with its school community.