Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if there are proposals to close or merge a school (details supplied) in county Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19811/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Rules for National Schools provide that "aid is not continued to a school at which the average daily enrolment falls below eight units for two consecutive years".

These requirements for recognition of the school referred to by the Deputy are not being met as the enrolment has been below the required level since 2006.

The appropriate steps have been taken and following a consultation process with the school authorities my Department is satisfied at this stage that there is little prospect of a reversal in the school's enrolment trend. In this context, it is intended to withdraw recognition and close the school with effect from 31 August 2010.

The school authorities have recently been notified of this decision. The school authorities undertook to convey this decision to the parents and to advise of the need to enrol their children in another school in the local area for September 2010.