Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the proposed closure of a school (details supplied); his views on whether there is huge demographic demand for school places in this area and that, in this respect, the closure of this school is misguided; and the advice he has given to parents of the 230 pupils on the location they will be accommodated following the proposed closure. [5647/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Trustees of the private schools in question recently made a formal announcement regarding their decision to close these schools.

These were private schools and therefore the decision to close the schools was a matter for the schools' Trustees and not my Department.

The Trustees have at all times indicated their commitment to the school community. My Department has provided details of alternative schools in the area to the Trustees to assist in facilitating the transition of students to the  schools concerned. The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents/guardians of the child and the Board of Management of the school concerned.

My Department had agreed the acquisition of the property and grounds concerned with a view to using it for school purposes to meet demographic demand in the future. 

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) was transferred to his Department, the reason his Department did not inform parents of the change in ownership; and the valuation which was put on the school and its buildings by his Department. [5648/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Trustees of the private schools in question recently made a formal announcement regarding their decision to close these schools.

These were private schools and therefore the decision to close the school and the communications with the school staff, students and parents in respect of the closure of the schools was a matter for the schools' Trustees and not my Department.

The Trustees have at all times indicated their commitment to the school community. To assist in facilitating the transition of students to alternative schools, my Department has provided details of schools in the area to the Trustees.

With regard to the acquisition of the property by my Department, this was finalised in June 2016. Due to commercial sensitivities I am not in a position to disclose the valuation of the property in question.