Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of small rural schools that have closed or amalgamated with a larger school each year in the past ten years, by county, in tabular form; the reason for these closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49151/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware small schools are defined for statistical purposes as schools with 4 mainstream teachers or less. Small schools are highly valued in their communities in that they provide a vital link to local heritage and history, help sustain rural populations and often act as a link for sports and social activity.
There is a commitment contained in the Programme for Government to continue to recognise the importance of small schools. The decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school. 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. Proposals must be agreed with the Department.
Small schools have also benefitted from improvements to the primary staffing schedule for all schools implemented in recent years and the staffing schedule at primary level is now reduced to 23 pupils to 1 teacher from September 2023, which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level.
This builds on measures in previous budgets which has seen improvements in the overall allocation of teaching posts and specific targeted measures for small and isolated schools as well as primary schools on our islands. The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including a specific one aimed at small schools, to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The number of small rural schools that were approved to close in the last 10 years is 52 primary schools and the number of small rural schools that were approved to amalgamate in the last 10 years is 41 primary schools, as per attached tables. The reasons for closure are not recorded however it is usual that schools close due to enrolments declining to a very low level.
