Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) is closing; and if she will consider leaving this school open. [11313/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The future viability of the school referred to by the Deputy is a matter of concern to my Department in view of the low and declining enrolment. The school has a current enrolment of seven pupils. The school authorities have been issued notification in accordance with section 11 of the Education Act 1998, that it is proposed to withdraw recognition from the school. Section 11 of the Act also provides for a period of three months during which time I will consider any representations made by the board, the patron, the teachers or the parents concerned. It is, therefore, open to the school community to exercise that provision in the legislation.

Ultimately, if having considered such representations, I, as Minister remain of the opinion that the number of pupils attending or likely to attend the school is such, or is likely to be such as to make the school unviable, then recognition will be withdrawn with effect from the end of June 2006. In the event that recognition is withdrawn from the school alternative and appropriate education facilities will be made available for those pupils who are enrolled in the school on that date and require those facilities.