Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of money that has been allocated to schools (details supplied) since 2007 under the summer works programme; the maintenance programme for the upgrading and refurbishment of facilities in schools; the other of her Department's grant schemes available in respect of these schools, by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2679/15]

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a final decision has been reached and approval been granted for the amalgamation of schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2680/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 535 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that total capital funding to the schools referred to by the Deputy in the period 2007 to 2014 amounted to over €1.05 million in one school and over €620,000 in the case of the other school. In the case of the first school, the amount issued included over €0.8 million in respect of contingency works and almost €224,000 under the Summer Works scheme. In the case of the other school, the amount issued included over €394,000 under the summer works scheme and over €130,000 for contingency works.

In relation to the proposed amalgamation of the schools in question, the Deputy will be aware that the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. 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.

Following a process of consultation, the Patron and the school boards concerned in light of the critical demographic position for both schools, have proposed the amalgamation of the schools concerned from September 2016. The Patron and the respective schools envisage that the new amalgamated school will cater for over five hundred girls and will allow for a broader curriculum and new programme options. In response, the Department has advised the Patron that it does not have an objection in principle to the proposed amalgamation and the Patron is continuing to engage with the Department in this regard.