Update: Demonimational Schools is Urban and Rural Areas – Education and Science 27th November, 2014

Uimhir:181

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha
To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which she and her
Department continues to liaise with the authorities at the various
denominational schools in the various urban and rural areas with a view to
maintaining the highest level of commitment in respect of smaller schools
deemed to be under threat; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 27th November, 2014.
Reference Number: 45723/14

Minister Jan O’Sullivan

I am mindful of the concerns of smaller schools and rural schools. Our overall
primary school enrolment has been growing rapidly in recent years and this is
going to continue. In managing the resource consequences of this, it is
important that decisions on school provision and organisation are based on a
rigorous evaluation of requirements and needs, not just at a local level but
also at both regional and national levels. Our current configuration of small
primary schools has been examined by my Department in a value for money (VFM)
review. This review took account of the ethos of schools and the locations of
small schools relative to other schools of a similar type. The report of the
review is under consideration. The Government is mindful of the concerns of
small schools and will take these concerns into account in considering any
planning framework for future provision of primary schools.