Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the closure of schools in some cases is at the discretion of her Department. [53221/25]

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 school closure and change of patronage, is the patron/trustees of the school concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department.

Any proposal for school closure must involve extensive consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level. Such proposals are subject to the agreement of the Department of Education and Youth.