Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline for the House the position with regard to the amalgamation of St Vincent's Secondary School and North Presentation Secondary School in Cork. St. Vincent's Secondary School is a post-primary school for girls under the patronage of the Religious Sisters of Charity. It had 215 students in the 2021-2022 school year. North Presentation Secondary School is also a post-primary school for girls and is under the patronage of CEIST. It had an enrolment of 138 students in the 2021-2022 school year.

The Department has received correspondence from the patrons of both schools regarding their proposed amalgamation and a change of status of the new amalgamated school to co-educational. The decision-making authorities for any amalgamation or change of status are the patrons of the schools. Where a school is considering an amalgamation, it should consult with students, parents, staff and broader communities. It is the responsibility of the patrons to undertake this consultation and make the final decision on whether to amalgamate.

Information provided to the Department of Education by the patrons indicated that a thorough local consultation process was undertaken between March 2021 and February 2022 between the school community of Catholic post-primary schools in north Cork city. This was indicated to have involved formal meetings with boards of management, staff, students, parents and guardians as well as parents and guardians of students attending Catholic primary schools in the area. However I am conscious that concerns have recently been raised by some members of the school community and that these have been brought to the patrons' attention. The Department has been informed that there were ongoing discussions between the two school patrons who will in fact be meeting again with their respective schools on Thursday in regard to the matters raised.

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