Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I endorse the words of my colleague, Deputy Robert Troy, regarding the great development of many small rural schools. The Minister for Education and Skills is familiar with my own county, stretching from Mount Nugent in east Cavan to Blacklion in west Cavan. In the past number of years, I have seen a huge transformation in small rural schools. They are a focal point in our communities.

The Minister mentioned the need for flexibility in applying the curriculum. When I visit these schools I see the extra-curricular activities and the flexibility that is applied within the curriculum process by the teachers and their support staff. We should tread very carefully if we are to remove small schools from Irish society.

See this speech in context