Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a proposed amalgamation of two national schools (details supplied) in County Cork; her plans to provide a new school building, should the amalgamation proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12311/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The two schools to which the Deputy refers were both approved funding under the Prefab Replacement Scheme in 2012. The schools are situated on a split campus in Carrigaline town.

The school authorities submitted an alternative proposal to provide all of the proposed replacement accommodation on the senior school's site and rationalise provision from 3 sites to 1 site. My Department advised the school authorities that it had no objection to this proposal and increased the level of mainstream and SET accommodation originally approved. In addition, my Department sought the inclusion of ASD/Special needs provision to meet the special educational needs in the area.

The schools concerned subsequently advised my Department that they were exploring the possibility of amalgamation and, in that regard, the provision of a new school building.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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. Any amalgamation proposal must involve consultation with all of the relevant schools stakeholders, and include consideration of the implications that any amalgamation proposal may have on school transport, funding, accommodation, staffing arrangements so that an informed decision can be made. My Department has not received, to date, a formal amalgamation proposal from the schools in question.