Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that many parents are experiencing in accessing second level schools in and around the catchment area of Harold’s Cross, Mount Argus, Kimmage and Crumlin, Dublin; in view of the planned closure of a school (details supplied), if she will acquire the school site with a view to developing it as a secondary community school, thereby alleviating the burden on families who are experiencing difficulties in enrolling their children in a secondary school in this catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1945/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department is aware of the closure of the school to which the Deputy refers.

While my Department has no plans at the moment to acquire the school in question, it is currently engaged in a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school accommodation may be needed from 2016 onwards. The area where the school is located is included in this review. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.

Should a new school be required for the area in question, the model of provision will be determined by an open patronage determination process overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group.

In the meantime, I understand that school in question is closing on a phased basis. In this regard, it did not enrol first year students for the 2014/15 school year. I also understand that the school will remain open so that the current cohort of junior and senior cycle pupils can finish their programmes. The school authority has informed my Department that it is assisting parents in securing alternative placements for the residue of pupils to ensure a smooth transition for these pupils to another school.

The Deputy may wish to know that area concerned has 9 post-primary schools and there is spare capacity in a number of these schools at the moment.