Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
249. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to meet and engage with representative committees (details supplied) which represent stakeholders from schools and wish to engage productively with his Department to avoid the closure of two schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44920/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the recommendation to amalgamate the schools in question has been accepted following detailed consideration of the proposal from Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, patron of both schools and the submissions received from the groups referred to by the Deputy. The recommendation from the patron to amalgamate the existing schools into a new building, will now proceed.
The Patron advised that an invitation to consultation meetings was forwarded to the Boards of Management of both schools in question and to all representative groups identified in both communities. In total, eleven groups were identified and meetings arranged between February and July 2019. The Patron advised that the majority of the meetings proceeded and the majority views taken into consideration. A small number of meetings were cancelled by the group/association concerned and did not proceed.
The two schools will continue to operate from the existing school sites until a new school building is provided. It is envisaged that the construction phase for the new amalgamated school will be facilitated with investment available during the second half of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027.
