Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will furnish the details of the independent report regarding the amalgamation process between schools (details supplied) in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56489/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her interaction or her Department's interaction with both schools (details supplied) regarding the amalgamation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56491/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together.

I wish to advise the deputy that he decision making authority for any amalgamation or change of status is the patron of the schools, subject to the approval of my Department. The Department has received correspondence from the patrons of both schools regarding their proposed amalgamation and a change of status of the new amalgamated school to co-educational. Local consultation regarding potential amalgamations is encouraged by the Department but it is the responsibility of the patrons to undertake any consultation that they deem appropriate and to make the final decision as to whether to amalgamate.

Information provided to the Department by the patrons indicated that there was a thorough local consultation process undertaken between March 2021 and February 2022 with the school communities of Catholic post primary schools in North Cork City. I am aware that there have recently been concerns raised by some members of the school communities. The Department understands that further discussions have since taken place between the two school patrons. The Trustees of St Vincent’s School have now written to the Department to confirm that they are withdrawing from the proposed amalgamation process with North Presentation Secondary School.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the formal process for the amalgamation of secondary schools; her role in this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56490/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The decision making authority for any amalgamation or change of status is the patron/trustees of the schools, subject to the approval of the Department.

Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system. It is also important that appropriate consultation is undertaken in advance.

The Patron and relevant stakeholders are also advised to consider the implications that any amalgamation proposal may have on items such as school accommodation, funding, staffing and school transport so that an informed decision can be made.