Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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655. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures her Department can take to provide a co-educational primary or post-primary school in an area where no such option currently exists for parents, even if demographic data does not indicate the need for a new school, given that the new criteria for establishing school entities require all new schools to be co-educational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30131/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision-making authority for any change of status is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration.

Any proposed change involves extensive consultation 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.

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