Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 March 2022
96. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the schools involved in the small schools clusters action research project; the location of these schools; the details of the cluster they are part of in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15265/22]
View answer97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the small schools clusters action project; if she has received any interim reports to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15266/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
My Department launched a two-year action research project in 2021 aimed at supporting small rural schools by encouraging a number of small schools to cluster together in local groups, enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions. This project was developed by a working group of school management bodies and teachers’ unions with the Department for Education, as part of the programme of work of the Primary Education Forum (PEF).
The project consists of six clusters of small schools (East and West Galway, Donegal, Waterford, Wicklow and Kerry), consisting of 3/4/5 schools per cluster. The clusters are supported by local and national coordinators, which will develop and trial innovative new ways of operating.
The project commenced in Q4 2021 and will operate for the two year life-cycle. As an integral part of the project, evaluation will take place with an interim report at the end of year one and a final report at the end of the project. The clusters and the schools involved are included here in tabular form:
Donegal, northwest:
|
School |
|
Dunfanaghy, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal |
|
Ballymore NS, Portnablagh, Co. Donegal |
|
Creeslough NS, Creeslough, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal |
|
Killygordon National School Main St., Killygordon, Lifford, Co. Donegal |
Galway, Gort
|
School |
|
St. Columbas NS, Ballyturn, Gort, Co. Galway |
|
Tubber NS, Tubber, Co. Clare |
|
Kilbeacanty NS, Rakerin, Gort, Co. Galway |
|
Lurga NS, Lurga, Gort, Co. Galway |
|
Tierneevin NS, Gort, Co. Galway |
Galway Iorrais Aitheach
|
School |
|
SN Naomh Ciaráin, Cill Chiaráin, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe |
|
SN Aird Mhóir, An Aird Mhóir, Cill Chiaráin, Co. na Gaillimhe |
|
SN Mhuire, Carna,Co. na Gaillimhe |
|
SN Naomh Colmáin, Muigh-Inis, Carna, Co. na Gaillimhe |
|
SN Ard, An Aird Thiar, Carna, Co. na Gaillimhe |
Ciarrai.Cill Airne
|
School |
|
Sn Naomh Mhichil, Baile ‘n Sceilg, Co Chiarraí |
|
Scoil an Ghleanna, Baile an Sceilg, Co. Chiarraí |
|
SN Cillín Liath, Maistir Gaoithe, Cill Airne, Co Chiarraí |
Wicklow
|
School |
|
Scoil Mhuire na nAird, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow |
|
Crossbridge NS Tinahely, Co. Wicklow |
|
Scoil San Eoin Redcross, Co. Wicklow |
Waterford
|
School |
|
S N An Chlais Mhor, Clashmore, Co. Waterford |
|
Ballycurrane N S, Clashmore, via Youghal, Co, Waterford |
|
St Marys N S Grange, Ballybrusa, via Youghal, Co. Waterford |
|
S N Naomh Parthalan Cionn Saile Beag, Youghal, Co. Waterford |
