Dáil debates

Thursday, 2 July 2009

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedure he will follow, in conjunction with all the partners in education, on the terms of a school (details supplied); the timescale involved; if he will clarify his opening statement in reply to Questions Nos. 510 and 536 of 23 June 2009, and that pending the establishment of the new school, the school will operate under the existing management and administration model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26882/09]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister indicated to the Deputy on 23 June 2009, the patrons of the school in question have informed my Department that they will be closing the existing school in 2012. When trustees or a patron body decide to close a school, the Department's main concern is to ensure that the best interests of the pupils are looked after and that there will be sufficient student places in existing schools in the general area for students who would have normally enrolled in the closing school.

Given the budgetary constraints and the timescale involved, it was not possible to construct a new post primary school building in advance of the closure referred to by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has agreed in principle to enter into a lease arrangement for the existing school building and site. It is my intention that departmental officials will consult with the relevant stakeholders regarding the issues of patronage and the other practical arrangements relating to the establishment of the new school entity as soon as the leasing arrangement has been finalised.

Pending the establishment of the new school, the existing school will continue to operate under its existing management and admissions model. In the longer term, the purchase of a site and the construction of a new school building is the intended solution for this location. However, this must have regard to the availability of financial resources. At this point, it is not possible for me to indicate when a new school building will be ready for occupation.

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome that the Minister of State and the Department have agreed in principle to lease the existing Seamount school in Kinvara. We need clarity on an agreed lease with the Sisters of Mercy and the trustees. They have given a ten-year extension to the period of the lease to allow the school to continue. They want to leave the idea of trustees of the school. There is confusion as to who will be responsible for the appointment of trustees during the period of the lease. Under the 1998 Act it is clear that the trusteeship of Seamount during the lease period is the responsibility of the trustees of the existing school as a voluntary Catholic school. Correspondence involving the acquisitions section of the Department shows confusion and indicates responsibility for identifying and recognising the new trustees for this enterprise will reside with the Department of Education and Science. I should appreciate if the Minister of State would give clarity as to who has responsibility for the appointment of the trustees in these circumstances.

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his interest in this issue. I acknowledge his role in finding a solution. Consultation on the lease is continuing and I hope this leasing arrangement can be put in place by 1 September, provided we can get agreement following consultation with all the stakeholders. Consultation is also taking place regarding the trustees and until we finalise the discussions on the lease it will not be possible to bring this issue to finality. As I understand it, the Department of Education and Science will have the primary role in determining who will be the patrons. The Department is open to submissions and will actively engage in consultation on the issue.

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State guarantee that there will be full consultation with the education partners at local level in the Kinvara area? Will the terms of the lease currently being negotiated relate to the Department of Education and Science and the trustees and only them? The idea has been floated that there might be an outside patronage group involved.

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is hopeful that the lease issue will be finalised in time for the coming academic year, commencing on 1 September. While the Deputy did not raise the following issue in his question, the commission on school accommodation has recommended a new school building and that issue and others such as whether it will be a coeducational school, patronage and the number of possible pupils need to be addressed.

We are open to active, constructive engagement and consultation on the patronage issue. Obviously, the Deputy's input in this regard will be invaluable.