John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the decision to close the vocational school at Muine Bheag in County Carlow; the process which has to be followed; the stakeholders who must be consulted in such a process; if that consultation took place; her role in such a decision; if she will reverse the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5327/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department was recently advised by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB that in light of the number of students that have enrolled for the school year 2016/17 and due to the declining enrolments over a number of years, that the ETB will not be proceeding with the enrolment of new first year students in Muine Bheag Vocational School for the coming school year, 2016-17. The ETB propose that all of the existing students in 1st , 2nd, 3rd, Transition and 5th year will be catered for with a full range of existing subjects up to the end of their cycle in 2018. The ETB has indicated that this position has been reached following detailed deliberations concerning the viability of the school.

Following contact with the ETB, the Department was informed that the ETB is committed to working with the school's Board of Management, Parents, Students, Staffing and other relevant interests regarding the matter. It is my Department's intention to liaise further with the ETB in the matter.