Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, along with other public representatives in Kerry, attended a monster meeting in Caherciveen on Monday night regarding the future of our rural schools. Strong opinions were expressed regarding the frustration and concerns of parents, teachers and boards of management. A very dismal picture was painted of boarded-up schools and of many other schools which are in danger of a similar fate in the very near future. Every one of us from rural Ireland, particularly the Taoiseach, is well aware that these schools are at the heart of communities. They have been the main focal point of rural Ireland since the instigation of the education boards in 1931. The situation has been exacerbated, particularly by Government policies, over the past number of years. There has been a phased increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in two-, three- and four-teacher schools since September 2012. This has affected schools with fewer than 86 pupils and approximately half of the 3,200 primary schools.

In 2011, a two-teacher school needed 12 pupils to retain its teachers, a three-teacher school needed 49 pupils and a four-teacher school needed 81 pupils. From this September, a school will need a minimum of 20 pupils to retain two teachers, 56 pupils to employ three teachers and 86 pupils for four teachers. This is replicated across the country, particularly on the western seaboard and across rural Ireland.

Rural depopulation, migration, emigration and the economic decline in our rural areas are significant factors. It was suggested at the meeting that the introduction of emergency measures be examined. The figures quoted are impossible for these schools to reach. It was suggested that, as a gesture, a minimum retention figure be allowed. Otherwise, we will be faced with a serious dilemma and another hit on our quality education and, as already pointed out, on these communities in general. I ask the Taoiseach to seriously reconsider what is happening and to intervene.

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