Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge that at present he has no information. The Department of Education and Skills, not the patron, is responsible for education. As the Minister of State stated, the initiative of amalgamation can come from many sources. There has been no consultation on the ground. As I am trying to facilitate the process of consultation, I would like to be guided on who should initiate and facilitate the consultation. Will the Minister of State come back to me with a response on that issue? Perhaps he could make himself available when all the bodies in the community come together. I understand a new principal will be appointed in one of the schools.

I rang the office of the Archdiocese of Dublin to elicit information and found it open. The person with whom I spoke told me what he or she knew. It is important for the community that consultation is initiated to get the process off the ground. I have not mentioned the role of the teachers, who are a very important element in the process of amalgamation. Their needs have to be taken into consideration as well.