Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1403. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received any correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding the closure or amalgamation of a school in Dublin 10; if she has received notification of their intentions for the school in June 2015; if her attention has been drawn to the projected increase in enrolment figures in that area; her plans to improve progression to third level in that area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34187/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department has not received correspondence from the person in question relating to the proposed amalgamation of the school to which he refers. My Department is however aware that the Archdiocese has initiated a consultation process locally to help guide the proposed amalgamation process. My Department understands that arising from this process, the wishes of parents' to postpone any amalgamation until 2015 were accepted.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is currently analysing demographic demand nationally to identify areas, including the area in question, where additional school accommodation may be required in the future.

A new National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education is currently being developed by the Higher Education Authority in consultation with my Department. The Plan (2014 – 2017) is being developed within the context of the key objective for higher education - to promote access for disadvantaged groups and to put in place coherent pathways from second level education, from further education and other non-traditional entry routes.