Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

In February, we debated the budget measures in regard to teacher staffing schedules for schools. The debate over the past two evenings has been a rerun of that debate. While Deputy Flanagan's Bill is well intended, it is fundamentally misconceived. I do not say that in a disrespectful way. The proposals the Deputy advances would keep schools open even if there were not enough pupils to sustain them. Therefore, the Government will be opposing this Bill.

The value-for-money review of small primary schools, currently being finalised in my Department, should be available after the summer recess. The review is simply about evaluating all the facts to inform future policy in this area. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, will publish the review and bring it before this House so we can have a wide-ranging and properly informed debate on its outcomes and proposals.

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