Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

It is clear that many of the budget decisions being forced on schools will have far-reaching implications for the Irish education sector. The Government sought to impose austerity measures and to disregard the effects this will have on children and their futures. The Minister and his Government colleagues have made political choices that include paying billions of euros into zombie banks and budget choices that have led to the targeting of some of this State's most vulnerable citizens. The decision to cut resources from DEIS schools; the loss of school guidance counsellors and changes to the staffing schedules in one, two, three and four-teacher schools are some of these choices. They come at a time when rural communities are trying to absorb the loss of young people through mass immigration, the loss of community halls, clubs, post offices and Garda stations as well as village shops, public houses and other small businesses.

In the rush to reduce budgets, the quality of our children's education is being greatly compromised and the views of teachers, communities and parents largely ignored. The OECD, as far back as 1991, acknowledged the importance of small schools in ensuring the sustainability and regeneration of rural Ireland. One of its key conclusions was that educational quality not school size should be the main criterion for rationalisation. In the mid-1960s, a sustained amalgamation policy was implemented by the then Fianna Fáil Government. During a seven-year period, the number of one and two-teacher schools was reduced by approximately 1,100. The decline of many rural communities was blamed on the policy of forced school amalgamations and closures. This Government now stands on the brink of replicating that policy.

The 2009 report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made several recommendations that included the amalgamations of 659 schools with fewer than 50 pupils, eliminating 300 teaching posts. The amalgamations of 851 schools in the 50-100 pupil category was also on the table, which would result in an estimated loss of 200 teaching posts. The conclusions reached in the report disregarded the established criteria for amalgamation including the educational needs of the children, the rights of parents and the adverse effects on the cultural, social and demographic life of small communities.

Collectively, we are urging the Government to take a more holistic approach to this issue. Alternatives to amalgamating and closing schools must be considered. These should include examining ways of repopulating existing schools rather than constantly expanding overcrowded larger schools, where children are often taught in unsuitable or temporary accommodation. Many rural schools are situated in isolated areas and are far apart. Budget changes will force children to travel longer distances when hard-pressed families have seen transport costs double in the past year.

The Government has handed down a decree that will force some schools to close or amalgamate. What provision has been made to facilitate this change in strategy? Have plans been put in place to provide new buildings? Have potential sites been identified? Are sections of the Department talking to each other on this point?

See this speech in context