James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine issues in correspondence (details supplied) affecting an amalgamation project for a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56557/25]

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 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.

Furthermore, the amalgamation involving the referred school was approved by my Department on the basis that capital funding would only be provided for essential works such as toilet works, changing facilities etc.

It is open to any school to apply to the Departments existing capital schemes including the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, the Emergency Works and Summer Works scheme. Applications for ASA are available on the Department's website at www.gov.ie