Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire in Broadford, County Kildare, an exceptional national school with 60 pupils, is typical of a lot of rural national schools around the country that have a reduction in school numbers and therefore a reduction in capitation. This is posing a challenge for many rural schools. The Financial Support Services Unit has engaged with the school and has essentially used it as a best-case example of a national school doing the most it can with the capitation it has. However, there is a clear issue with capitation funding for rural schools with declining school numbers. I ask that the Department of Education and Youth review the capitation funding for small rural schools to ensure their longevity and that they do not have to continue fundraising year in and year out for vital services such as electricity. It is important to state that this is an exceptional school, with exceptional teachers and exceptional students.

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