Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to her response to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 21 November 2006, she will outline the outcome of an examination her Department was carrying out; her position as regards the need to keep a school (details supplied) in County Galway, open and operational; her views on whether in the event of this school closing, the area would have a severe shortage of school spaces now and into the future, especially in view of projected population growth figures; her views on the need for a co-educational school in the town and area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5887/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Trustees of the school referred to have confirmed their intention to close the school and have recently reaffirmed to the Department that the closure will be on a phased basis and will commence in September 2007, with all students in junior cycle being given the option of proceeding to senior cycle, including the opportunity to avail of a transition year. The Trustees have also confirmed that the current site will not be available for the provision of post-primary education once the school closes.

Having considered the immediate implications of the decision by the Sisters of Mercy, I can confirm that the Department will facilitate the enrolment in Gort Community School of students from the Kinvara area by changing the existing catchment area. To facilitate an increase in enrolments at Gort Community School, any additional accommodation for the school will be treated as matter of priority by my Department. My Department will discuss the position with the authorities of Gort Community School with a view to agreeing the extent of the additional accommodation required to cater for the Kinvara students in the short and medium term.