Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy in relation to small rural schools; and if he is committed to retaining same [5544/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Ireland has a high proportion of primary schools relative to its population. It also has a high proportion of small primary schools. The majority of small primary schools are situated in rural locations. A review was initiated in October 2010 by the then Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government to establish the value for money being achieved from State funding of small primary schools. This value-for-money review is part of the normal review processes undertaken by Departments on an annual basis on selected areas of expenditure. The current review is particularly focused on the smallest category of schools, namely, those with fewer than 50 pupils. The terms of reference for the review are published on my Department's website. Among other things, the review seeks to examine the scope for alternative policy or organisational approaches to improve efficiency and effectiveness of provision in terms of school size, identify potential implications of such alternative arrangements and make recommendations as appropriate.

I do not have a predetermined view on the outcome of the review. Educational quality for the pupils must be one of the main criteria in any consideration of primary school size and organisation taking into account the needs of local communities and wider social and cultural factors. Decisions on school provision and reorganisation must be widely perceived to be cost-effective, equitable and reasonable. These decisions need to be based on a rigorous evaluation of requirements and needs, not just at local level but at regional and national levels.

The review should be completed by the end of this year and I plan to consider its outcomes when they are finalised. My consideration will take place in the context of the resources available to the Department and the other factors I have already outlined.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I am a past pupil of a one-teacher rural school in County Meath. I had the same teacher from junior infants up to sixth class. As a result, I am well aware that the level of education provided at the type of schools to which I refer is of a high quality. I left primary school in 1996. The school I attended has now become a two-teacher mainstream school and has a resource education special needs assistant and secretarial support. A large amount of money has been invested in this state-of-the-art school. I merely use this school as an example. Many schools in my constituency and others could tell the same story.

There is great anxiety and worry among parents and staff about the current review process. I acknowledge that the process began prior to Deputy Quinn's time in the Department but that does not diminish the worry and anxiety felt. When will the Minister come back to the House, and to the parents and staff of the schools? Can we have a commitment that no two-teacher school will be closed in the future? These schools are important for the education of children and the fabric of rural society. Will the Minister promise that no two-teacher school will be closed and give a timeframe for his report to the House?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The timeframe is the end of this year when we get the result of the value for money review. It is, literally, a value for money review and nothing else. There is no prejudice on my part. I am open to all suggestions. The famous Stanley letter of 1831 laid the foundations of primary education in Ireland. At that time there were no cars, transport was by foot and the rural population was enormous. Very few, if any, young people would now be allowed by a responsible parent to walk to school in rural Ireland, for fear of being run over by a boy racer or by an articulated truck. We must look at what we have.

I regard the school buildings as educational infrastructure which could, perhaps, be used in a different way. I will be guided by community leadership at local level. Marlborough Street does not have all the answers. We will depend on and listen to constructive and positive responses when we see the value for money review.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I endorse the words of my colleague, Deputy Robert Troy, regarding the great development of many small rural schools. The Minister for Education and Skills is familiar with my own county, stretching from Mount Nugent in east Cavan to Blacklion in west Cavan. In the past number of years, I have seen a huge transformation in small rural schools. They are a focal point in our communities.

The Minister mentioned the need for flexibility in applying the curriculum. When I visit these schools I see the extra-curricular activities and the flexibility that is applied within the curriculum process by the teachers and their support staff. We should tread very carefully if we are to remove small schools from Irish society.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I want to comment on the importance of one and two-teacher schools, particularly in rural areas, and endorse what my colleagues, Deputies Robert Troy and Brendan Smith have said on this issue. I am concerned by the Minister's comments about using school buildings for other purposes. That might indicate that the Minister is considering closing some of those schools.

The Minister said the value for money review is being undertaken in the normal course of events. I have no objection to seeking to get the best value for money. However, we cannot consider the closing of one and two-teacher schools. I ask for a commitment from the Minister that no school will be closed during his tenure as Minister for Education.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister said the review process will include the input of boards of management and local people. In that case, why did boards of management and school staffs not receive notification of the review. No school was written to or asked for input. They learned of the review through the Department's website. I know of one school that would have missed the deadline for its submission were it not for the involvement of a teacher in the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. Why did the Department not write to each school that was concerned in the review process? This should have happened.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I do not know the answer to that question. The decision to initiate the process was made in October of last year. The deadline for submissions was in February. I do not know what was the form of communication. I presume it was the website, but I will find out for the Deputy.

I have no preconceived ideas about rural schools. We want to see what the value for money is. In other parts of the country, specifically in parts of County Cork, there is clustering of schools where all the school buildings are used for educational purposes but they, perhaps, share a secretary, have a single board of management or combine existing resources to maximise educational outcomes. Some of these school buildings originated in 1910 or 1920, when rural Ireland was a different place from what it is now.

I have no bias against rural schools whatsoever. We have a growing population. However, I cannot give Deputy McConalogue a commitment that there will be no such decision until we see the outcome of the value for money review. Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.