Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter in this House as it affords me the opportunity on behalf of the Department of Education and Science to outline to this House the current position regarding the proposed closure of St. Mary's secondary school, Haddington Road, Dublin 4. St. Mary's secondary school is an all-girls' post-primary school with a current enrolment of 149 pupils. The trustees of the school, the Sisters of the Holy Faith, have indicated to the Department that they are not in a position to continue to provide post-primary education in St. Mary's secondary school. Accordingly, they intend to close the school on a phased basis by June 2006.

As trustees of St. Mary's secondary school, the decision to withdraw from trusteeship and management of the school is a matter for the Sisters of the Holy Faith. Therefore, it is not within the capacity of the Department of Education and Science to reverse the decision taken by the trustees to close the school.

The issues for the Minister for Education and Science are to ensure that the best interests of the pupils are looked after in the period up to the closure of the school in 2006, and to ensure there will be sufficient post-primary educational provision in the area for pupils who would normally have enrolled in this school. In this context, the Department is involved in an analysis of the three post-primary schools serving the needs of the south inner city area of Dublin. Crucial to this analysis is the exploration of the possibility of a single school development to cater for the 444 pupils currently enrolled in the existing schools. This exploration is being conducted in consultation with the relevant trustees. Additionally, an integral element of this process will entail an examination of accommodation options for the proposed development.

The school planning section of the Department will work assiduously to ensure that there is adequate provision in the south inner city area to meet the educational needs of post-primary pupils in the south inner city area. I again thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to discuss this matter in this House.

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