Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the proposed amalgamation of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; the date on which it will happen; the exact details of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44729/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm for the Deputy that the two primary schools to which he refers were in contact with my Department in 2009 regarding a proposed amalgamation. The two school authorities subsequently contacted the Department to advise that as no common ground could be found between the respective school authorities at that time, a decision was taken by them to defer the amalgamation and to continue with the process the following academic year. No further communication has been received by my Department in respect of this proposed amalgamation.

All agreed amalgamation proposals must be submitted to my Department for approval. Those proposals that may have major capital implications can only be considered within the context of my Department's capital budget and the challenges facing my Department in meeting national demographic demands.