Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the procedure for an application for a school to change its status (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6504/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for a change of status belongs to the Patron of a school, and this is subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Any such proposal 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.

All agreed proposals must be submitted to my Department for approval. Proposals that may have major capital implications can only be considered within the context of my Department's capital budget and the challenges facing my Department in meeting national demographic demands.