Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. He is aware of both cases. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust, ERST, called in the staff and patrons of the four schools, including the bishop, and told them that the proposal was to close the North Monastery primary school and amalgamate it with St. Vincent's Convent national school, which is a fine school in its own right. The ERST then stated that it would hold a consultation period, but that is happening after the decision was placed on the table. The bishop must sign off on that decision. Perhaps he will go against what has been proposed by the ERST, but I do not believe that will be the case. The bishop will come under considerable pressure to agree to the ERST's decision.

Ultimately, the decision will land on the Minister's desk for approval. That is when it will become a political issue. No one in the North Monastery primary school wants this to be a political issue. Rather, people want a decision based on the facts. The school has facilities like those in the Ballyfermot school and are greater than those of the schools with which it is proposed to be amalgamated. Despite this, there is still a proposal to close the school.

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