Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a proposal is progressed without further delay which would ensure the best school provision for an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43821/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department has received a request from the patrons of the schools in question, to amalgamate the two schools.

In November 2023, the Department issued a letter of approval to the Patron for the amalgamation to proceed.

The Department’s technical team have carried out an assessment of the schools and the proposed new site. The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the schools in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.

As the Deputy will be aware the decision making authority for school amalgamations belongs to the patron or trustees of a school, and this is subject to the approval of the Minister for Education. Any proposed change must involve extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.

The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for the Department. Officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the schools in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.

Officials from the Department are available to discuss the proposed amalgamation with the Patron body.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43848/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers.

A Senior Educational Welfare Officer has contacted the parent and the parent has confirmed that the student has a school place. The parent has been advised that there are closer schools to where they are residing, and relevant application forms have been forwarded to the parent for completion. The parent has advised that it is their preference to continue with the current arrangements until such time as a place becomes available in their locality.