Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
198. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of national schools likely to close in each county in each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide such communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school, and this is subject to the agreement of the Department.
Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
My Department has been advised by the Patron of a national school in Mayo that the school will close in June 2018 . The Patron of a national school in Dublin has advised my Department that a school will close in June 2019. The Patrons in question consider that the schools are no longer viable.
