Mr. Gerry Bennett:

We were asked to come before the joint committee to discuss amalgamations, the opening and closure of schools. The following three amalgamations have taken place: Scoil San Seamus in Dublin, Tramore, County Waterford and Doon, County Limerick. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust has not initiated proposals for amalgamations. There are ongoing discussions between the trustees and boards and we support and advise boards. These are sensitive and cannot always be placed in the public arena as they could have a negative effect on the school. There is agreement on the amalgamation of three primary schools in Wexford. There is also agreement that the three second level schools in Ennistymon - the CBS, the Mercy and the VEC schools - will amalgamate. We are very fortunate and privileged to be asked to become the patron of the new school in Carrigaline and the beautiful new school in Tramore.

From our perspective, there is not a great deal happening in terms of amalgamations, openings and closings. We came to this meeting hoping there would be a sharing of concerns. Our major concern is the future funding of voluntary secondary schools which account for the largest number of schools in the country. We have information to be gone through with members of the committee and would like to place this body of work with the committee because it is such a serious matter in terms of the future of trusteeship and schooling in Ireland.