Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. It is obvious from her response, particularly when she went off script, that she understands that amalgamation can only be brought about when there is buy-in from all stakeholders. There is no buy-in from any stakeholder regarding this proposal. Meetings and consultations are being held now that should have taken place before November 2018. In replies to a number of my parliamentary questions, the Department has stressed that there has to be detailed consultation by the patron of the school with all stakeholders before any proposal would go to the Department. That is the way it should be but, unfortunately, it is not how this has come about. I know the area very well because I am a native. There is absolute opposition to the proposal. The staff in the schools, parents of students attending both colleges, past pupils and the wider school community are all in favour of retaining the two schools. I have outlined the geographical considerations as well. Some pupils who attend those schools at present would, if they closed, go to schools in adjoining catchment areas, some of them in different counties and provinces. That is not the way to deliver second-level education in north-west Cavan.

I appeal to the Minister of State to go back to the Minister as she stated she would. For a relatively small capital investment at each school, a range of additional facilities could be provided. I have attended awards nights in the schools and have listened to people like the directors of schools at the ETB or, prior to that, the VEC, as well as guest speakers. They laud and praise the schools for the quality of the teaching and leadership, for their achievements from an educational and extracurricular point of view, for their participation in sports in so many disciplines and for their active role in many cross-Border projects. The Minister gave me a commitment some months ago that he would meet a deputation from both schools. I hope he will be able to do so before August. I appeal to the Minister of State to bring that message back to him.

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