Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 6

Written Answers. - ERSI Finding on Schooling.

Toddy O'Sullivan

Question:

77 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education her views on the finding of the ERSI paper Comprehensive Schooling In Ireland which stated that "it is inconceivable on this study's projections of population and educational enrolments that there will be more than a single school per town in 2006"; having regard to the fact that the declining population trends have worsened in the interim and the strategy which is being operated by the Department to deal with the inevitable amalgamation of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I have on a number of occasions expressed the view that the dominant issue for this decade in the administration of the education system is the rationalisation of school provision. The drop in student numbers already evident at primary level will transfer to second level over the next five years with an anticipated loss of some 28,000 pupils by the end of the decade. This significant change in the demographic pattern requires careful planning to ensure the optimum and most equitable use of resource allocations.

My Department is actively pursuing a policy of rationalisation of post-primary school facilities to create a larger, more viable units. In that context priority consideration is being given to centres where existing accommodation is sub-standard. Future short and long-term enrolment trends for all centres where major rationalisation developments are in question are continuously monitored in the light of the most up-to-date statistical data available.

In the coming school year five new community schools will come into operation, replacing 13 existing schools.