Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to outline to the House the current position with regard to the planned closure of Greendale community school, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5.

Greendale community school was built in 1975 to accommodate 800 pupils. The school expanded quickly to exceed its enrolment capacity. An extension to bring the school's capacity up to 900 pupil places was provided in the early 1980s. In line with demographic changes in the area, the school has experienced a steady decline in enrolments in recent years. Since 1996-97, enrolment has declined by 50% from 449 students to 215 students in the 2003-04 school year.

Greendale community school is located in the Howth deanery, a unit of 13 parishes in the archdiocese of Dublin. The school made an application to the Department of Education and Science for capital grant aid in 1999 for major refurbishment works. A feasibility study commissioned by the Department estimated that an investment of €2.4 million was required to address the remedial works necessary. In the circumstances, the Department did not consider that the level of capital investment required was a viable option. However, grant aid was made available to ensure immediate health and safety issues at the school were addressed.

The Department held meetings with the trustees in 2003 to discuss the future of the school because there did not appear to be adequate pupil numbers in the locality to enable it to regenerate. The trustees advised the Department in March 2004 that a decision had been taken to close the school in June 2007 and that there would be no further intake of pupils from September 2005. The Department of Education and Science concurred with this decision.

When Greendale community school closes in 2007, ownership of the school property, which is currently vested in the trustees, will revert to the Department. In the period leading up to the closure of the school, the Department will consider all available options in regard to the future use of the school property. I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

See this speech in context