Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I understand what the Deputy is saying; my colleagues in Fine Gael and the Labour Party have articulated similar concerns as conveyed to them. A gradual change in the threshold for a two-teacher school from 12 to 14 pupils, and similar changes for three- and four-teacher schools, is required. The Deputy is correct in stating that if two two-teacher schools were to amalgamate they would be at a disadvantage under the current system. We must examine those anomalies within the system. Nothing will happen quickly on this matter but there is an argument in favour of schools amalgamating if the geography, location and so forth make sense.

I remind Members, as I did on a previous occasion, that we now have 3,200 primary schools. At one time, and I am not referring to the 1800s, there were over 6,000 primary schools in Ireland. Nobody had a motor-car and nobody had a fear of letting their child walk to school whatever the length of that walk. The change must take place. The reason is that this country is in receivership and I must find savings as we cannot afford it.

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