Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Although this issue is not directly connected to his Department, it is an extremely important matter in the north side of Cork city. There is a proposed amalgamation and reconfiguration of schools in the area and one is Scoil Mhuire Fatima, or North Mon. That school has 170 students and no infant classes; if it had a full complement, it would probably have over 200 students because the infant classes are dealt with at the North Presentation school and St. Vincent's school. When this proposal arose, there was no consultation with parents, teachers or boards of management.

The proposal is for the amalgamation of North Mon with St. Vincent's and there is major concern among parents and teachers that the facilities at St. Vincent's are inadequate with regard to play areas, for example. The proposal would also have a Gaelscoil at Farranferris move to North Mon. There is concern that the proposal seems to be going ahead with little or no consultation with parents, teachers or the principals of the schools. I attended a meeting of over 250 parents recently and major concerns were expressed. The Minister should get involved in the issue as there is no support for the proposal as it currently exists. The Gaelscoil could still be accommodated at North Mon without the primary school moving to St. Vincent's. This concern has been expressed by parents, teachers and the principal at North Mon. It should be taken on board by the Minister.