Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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629. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to reverse the decision to close Muine Bheag vocational school in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5357/16]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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630. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to facilitate a meeting with the Oireachtas Members from the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny to brief them on the status of the decision to close a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5358/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 630 together.

My Department was 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 has indicated that this position has been reached following detailed deliberations concerning the viability of the school.

Following contact with the ETB, my Department has since been advised that the ETB is proposing to set up a review group representative of local stakeholders, to look into all aspects of the situation in the school and to consider possible solutions for the future. The process of establishing this group will start immediately and the ETB has undertaken to advise my Department of any further proposals in relation to the future of the school. My Department can review the position following the outcome of the review group's work.