Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the future of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; if she will ensure plans for the closure of this community school are reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25112/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A decision was taken by the Trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers that it will close in June 2007. This decision was taken because, in line with demographic changes in the area, the school has experienced a steady decline in enrolments in recent years. Current enrolments in feeder primary schools indicate that this decline will continue. In fact, a general decline in enrolments in the area where the school is located has resulted in spare capacity of an estimated 2,300 places at post primary level. Coupled with the decline in enrolments, my Department was also concerned about the ability of the school in question to offer a broad and balanced curriculum given the relatively small number of pupils enrolled. In all of the circumstances, my Department concurred with the Trustees decision to close the school and there are no plans to reverse this decision.

When it closes, ownership of the school property, which is currently vested in the trustees, will revert to my Department. In the period leading up to the closure, my Department will consider all available options with regard to its future use.