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

With regard to the value for money review of small schools, which the Minister belatedly laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, I ask that an urgent and full debate on that review be held following the break next week. Despite the announcement by the Minister of a minor row-back, the approach of this Government continues to be one of cuts to small schools and the withdrawal of teachers from small schools. I note that the Minister has recently indicated that the only way schools can be assured of funding from the Department of Education and Skills is if they decide to amalgamate or, as she put it, voluntarily come together.

On the POD, perhaps the Minister would tell the House whether she has received an assurance from the Data Protection Commissioner that it is in line with legislation. Also, how can she stand over asking schools to collect information from parents when she or the Department had not up to now ensured that the system complied with data protection legislation?

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