Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy very much for raising what is an important issue, particularly in terms of smaller schools and smaller denominational schools of particular churches. The late Martin Mansergh was actually very attentive to the needs of smaller schools in rural Ireland and the Border areas, in particular those that were Protestant or Presbyterian, and where the numbers were low in terms of refurbishments. We had a big impact at the time.

I will talk to the Minister for education and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, Deputy Michael Moynihan, in respect of this issue. What the Deputy is saying is that the existing class thresholds are too high. I think there is an issue there, whether we can come to some resolution or not, I will certainly talk to the Ministers to discuss that. In terms of the specific school the Deputy identified, I will certainly go through that with the Minister.

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