Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the issue of Fermoy Educate Together school. Individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are organised at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account - for example, classroom accommodation and fluctuating enrolments.

I thank Deputy Stanton again for giving me the opportunity to outline the Department of Education's position in this regard. As I said, the Department has ongoing engagement with the school patron in relation to the accommodation needs of the school. A technical visit was held recently, the results of which are informing current discussions with the patron. The patron has been in contact with the ETB around accommodation arrangements in the building. I will certainly bring back the Deputy's concerns to the Minister.

Educate Together schools are very popular all over the country. I understand that when the school was put in place in 2018, as is set out in the overall report, there were terms and conditions. However, we are six years further on and I will certainly bring his concerns to the Minister, Deputy Foley.

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