Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State's reply does not assure me or the one third of primary schools with an enrolment of less than 80 pupils about the Government's plans for their future. We are aware the report has not been published yet. We are asking for an assurance from him that he has no intention of closing schools but we have been unable to get that, which is concerning. I refer to the Department of Justice and Equality, which has closed rural Garda stations. It would not be difficult for the Minister of State to give an assurance that small rural schools are safe.

The Government's policy of cutting the minor works and capitation grants, particularly the former which is worth upwards of €5,000 to every small school, depending on size, is crippling small schools and making it very difficult for them to survive. The Minister of State has not provided any assurance that it is Government policy to support rather than close small rural schools.

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