Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will address the difficulties at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if she will ensure that a school will remain in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10786/07]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will address the difficulties at a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; if she will ensure that a school will remain in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10777/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together.

The Trustees of the school referred to by the Deputies have confirmed their intention to close the school on a phased basis. As the Deputies may be aware, this school is a voluntary secondary school and the decision to withdraw as providers of education is within the remit of the Patron body, that is the Sisters of Mercy. The Department has been informed by the Sisters of Mercy that the phased closure will commence in September 2007 with no intake of first year students and all junior cycle pupils will be given the option of proceeding to the senior cycle including the opportunity of to avail of a transition year.

The Deputies should note that the existing site and school buildings are not in the ownership of the Department. The Trustees have recently reaffirmed to the Department 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 my Department will facilitate the enrolment in the neighbouring Community School of students from the area in question by changing the existing catchment area. To this end the Department recently met with the Trustees of that school to discuss any additional accommodation requirements. Any additional accommodation for the school will be treated as matter of priority by my Department. My Department is discussing the position with the authorities of the Community School with a view to agreeing the extent of the additional accommodation to cater for the students from the area in question in the short and medium term.

The Government is conscious that many parts of South Galway are experiencing significant population growth and is determined to ensure sufficient school provision into the future. The question of where the expanded capacity will be located, will be determined by an analysis of the pattern of population growth in the areas in terms of geographical location compared to where existing second level provision is situated. My Department will complete this analysis as quickly as possible.