Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware this is a serious issue for Deputy Brendan Smith and for the school community. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McHugh. In responding, I will comment on this matter because I know quite a bit about amalgamations of schools and was responsible for the amalgamation of two schools.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me and the Minister, Deputy McHugh, with the opportunity to clarify the position on the proposal by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, CMETB, to amalgamate St. Bricin's College in Belturbet with St. Mogue's College in Bawnboy, west Cavan.

I am aware that there is significant interest in this proposal from interested stakeholders in the area. Both schools are post-primary co-educational schools operating under the auspice of CMETB. St. Bricin's College in Belturbet has an enrolment of 195 students in the current academic year. This is a slight decrease from 222 pupils in 2014. St. Mogue's College enrolment is 227, which is an increase from 197 in 2014.

The Minister, Deputy McHugh, wishes to advise the Deputy that the initiative for any amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, boards of management and patrons. Any such proposal to amalgamate schools must involve consultation with all the relevant stakeholders and follow decisions taken at local level. If I can just comment on that, stakeholders have to buy into an amalgamation for it to be a successful one. In that regard, any proposed changes must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of parents, teachers and local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system. If I may add, students' views must also be taken into account. Any proposals are then subject to the approval of the Department of Education and Skills.

The Minister, Deputy McHugh, can confirm that the Department received a proposal from CMETB to amalgamate St. Bricin's College in Belturbet and St. Mogue's College in Bawnboy in December last following the unanimous approval of the proposal by the board of CMETB on 26 November 2018. The ETB proposes locating a new school entity in Ballyconnell. The Department subsequently sought further information from the ETB on the amalgamation proposal.

The ETB recently advised the Department that a series of meetings with stakeholders has taken place and further consultation meetings are planned. The object of the consultations was to provide additional information on the proposed amalgamation of both schools and to ensure that any concerns raised are heard and taken into account.

I have given an example of all those the ETB has met in the meantime.

I do want to advise the Deputy that the Department has not given a specific commitment of funding to Cavan-Monaghan ETB to develop a new second-level school. The Department looks forward to continued engagement with Cavan-Monaghan ETB relating to the amalgamation proposal. On behalf of the Minister, I again thank the Deputy for the opportunity to clarify the current position in respect of the potential amalgamation.

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