The establishment of a special unit at St Teresa’s Primary School, Glen Road, has also been approved.

The closure will take effect from September 1, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The new special unit will provide support to children with complex speech and language difficulties, hearing impairment or some motor skill disorders who would benefit from being placed in a class attached to the mainstream school.

Ms Ruane said: “This new unit will enable children to access small group teaching and periods of individualised support, as well as benefiting from social and curricular integration with their mainstream peers, as part of a planned framework of intervention.

“They offer parents another choice in the type of provision they feel is best suited to their child's need.

“The schools that cater for children with special needs have a very important role in education.

“I know that the closure of St Frances de Salles and the transfer of the children to St Teresa’s has been well managed to minimise disruption to the children and I wish them well in their new school.”