Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have all come across cases of this nature in our constituencies and we have made representations on behalf of national schools that are in a similar position. As stated, there is a further appeals process in June and another in October. I encourage the board of management of the school or the local community to see if they can attract those extra students necessary to bring the school up to the threshold. I have advised parents and boards of management in my constituency to do that. It has worked and the schools in question reached the magic figure of 51. There has to be a cut-off. I understand from where the Deputy is coming when he states the school has a lot of issues and is, perhaps, a special case. However, the same case could be made for many schools in other rural areas.

In a personal capacity, I suggest the parents and the board of management get together and try to get the enrolment up to the magic number of 51. I accept that it is difficult, particularly in rural areas where there are probably neighbouring schools. If pupils are taken from one school and enrolled in another, it can create an issue. There may be parents who wish to send their children to that school. As the Deputy pointed out, it has a good reputation and is a three-teacher school. Parents sometimes like to send their children to such schools. That would be one measure to consider and in respect of which to make another appeal, if possible. I was disappointed to discover that the numbers have fallen 49 to 47. In a rural area, it would be much easier to attract two extra children rather than four, but I make that appeal to the Deputy. I will bring the sentiments he has expressed to the attention of the Minister, Deputy McHugh, and outline exactly what he stated regarding the circumstances that obtain at the school. Everybody wants to ensure that the existing pupil-teacher ratio can retained because this is probably a good school. The three teachers at the school are doing a good job. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister and we will see what can be done. There is a lot the community can do to see if it can increase the numbers in order to reach the threshold. However, I know that will not be easy. It never is easy in these circumstances but that is one aspect that should be examined.

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