Written answers

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Administration

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the legal provisions or statutory instruments governing the processes for trustees, boards, or patrons who wish to amalgamate or close schools. [11222/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Education Act (1998) provides for a general statutory framework for the administration of the education system at first and second level. Individual institutions in the education sector have varying degrees of autonomy according to their status and statutory provisions. The Act also provides for the right of schools to manage their own affairs in accordance with the Act and any charters, deeds, articles of management or other such instruments relating to their establishment or operation. In accordance with Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Act, the Minister may designate a school or a proposed school on request by a patron or patrons to be a school recognised for purposes of the Act. Such a request may involve a school closure or amalgamation.

The initiative for any amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Board of Management and patron(s). Any such proposal to amalgamate schools must first involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders. Following the consultation process, a decision taken at local level will follow. In that regard, any proposed changes must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.

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