Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has been contacted by the patron regarding the reorganisation of four schools (details supplied) in Dublin 10, [53068/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that my Department has not received any proposals from the Patron in relation to the future accommodation arrangements for the four schools referred to by the Deputy.

The initiative for any amalgamation or re-organisation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Boards of Management and patron. Any such proposal to amalgamate schools must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders and follow decisions taken at local level. The decision making authority for any amalgamation, including any appropriate arrangements, belongs to the Patron of a school subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.

I understand that as part of the process of proposed reorganisation, the Patron intends holding a ballot of parents/guardians in the four schools in January 2014 and if parents are in favour of co-education, any changes introduced would be on a phased basis. I understand also that the views of parents as expressed in the ballot will inform the decision of the Patron as to the future reorganisation of the schools in the Parish.