Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department received the inquiry from the school authority regarding the process for school amalgamations further to a response; the status of the proposed amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15261/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement her Department has had with the patron or board of management of a school (details supplied) with regard to the closure of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15262/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement her Department has had with the patron or board of management of a school (details supplied) with regard to any proposed amalgamation involving this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15263/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, together.

The position in respect of school amalgamations is that the decision making authority belongs to the patron of the school in question. Any proposal to amalgamate a school requires consultation with the relevant stakeholders including parents, teachers, students and local communities. Such proposals must then be agreed with the Department.

While my Department has no record of a request to approve the amalgamation of Scoil Bhríde, it received an enquiry on 25 November, 2021 from the school authority regarding the process for school amalgamations.