Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether there is a need to review the processes in place for the amalgamations of second level schools; her further views whether the existing consultation process requires updating when two schools are being amalgamated; if amendments have been made to the Report on the Amalgamation of Second Level Schools published in 2001; if she is concerned that existing measures on school amalgamations do not appear to include all stakeholders; if her attention has been drawn to a recent amalgamation (details supplied); if she is concerned that past pupils were never included in the consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36049/25]

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, including amalgamation, is the patron/trustees of the school 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.

My Department is not aware of amendments made to the report referenced by the Deputy.

In response to the Deputy regarding which stakeholders are included in the consultation process, I can confirm that this is a matter for the patron’s of both schools. I can advise both patron’s of the schools referred, confirmed to my Department that a comprehensive consultation process with all stakeholders had been completed, and a press release issued advising of same in October 2023.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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396. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are specific rules in place in relation to consultation both in the locality and with past pupils in cases in which two schools are amalgamating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36050/25]

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, including amalgamations, is the patron/trustees of the school 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.