Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of one-teacher primary schools in the State in each of the past five years; his views on whether it is a suitable arrangement to have only one full-time teacher in a school; the number of these schools on the mainland that have more than 12 pupils at present and in the case of the islands more than eight pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16341/14]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister changed the pupil-teacher ratio for two-teacher schools to one. I do not think it is a suitable arrangement. It is the reason we have put a second teacher in schools, but I do not think it is a suitable arrangement to have only one teacher permanently in a school. What effect has the Minister's policy has had on the number of one-teacher schools in the State?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the budget 2012 measures the minimum threshold for a two-teacher school is now 20 pupils. However, if a school is the only school on an island, the pupil threshold for it to remain as a two-teacher school is eight pupils.

The number of one-teacher schools over the last five years has varied between four and eight schools. In the 2008-09 school year, there were eight schools, the number reduced to four in the 2010-11 school year and rose to eight again in the past year. I am arranging to have the full tabular details provided to the Deputy in regard to this matter.

I would say, however, that the day to day running of a school, including with just one full-time teacher, is a matter for the board of management of each school. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils when the pupils are on the school premises during school time and-or on school activities.

I do not yet have the complete information relating to the current school year, however, I can tell the Deputy, from the preliminary information available to me, there are 60 mainland schools below the threshold of 20 pupils and of seven island schools that are below the threshold of 20 pupils, four of the schools are two-teacher schools. There are two island schools below the threshold of eight pupils. The complete information in regard to all schools will be placed on the Department's website in June of this year.

Table showing the number of one-teacher schools over the five-year period 2008-9 to 2012-13

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Did the Minister say that are 60 schools below the threshold?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will make the tabular information available to the Deputy. I am aware of his interest in this matter. To quote from my reply, "I can tell the Deputy from preliminary information that there are 60 mainland schools".

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sixty.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sixty - six zero.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What is staring us in the face is the fact that the number of one-teacher schools will increase from four to 60, as the Minister's policy progresses. In regard to island schools, can he confirm that if the number of pupils falls below eight for one year, the number must then increase to 20 to get back the second teacher? Does he think it is likely or possible that will happen in schools on small islands where the number of pupils has already dropped to eight?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to small islands, I will certainly adopt, and do adopt, a different approach. That is my intention because of the very nature of those schools. The Deputy may be aware of this, and I have additional information in regard to two islands because of the viability of island communities. That is a separate case altogether and I am prepared to talk to people about that matter, but we have to examine the implications of the impact if that is the case and the number of pupils in a school has fallen below eight. The threshold now is 20.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We had the case of the school in Inis Meáin where the number of pupils dropped for one year but the school authorities were told that they will have to meet the new threshold figure - we appealed that decision in every way possible and made personal appeals to the Minister - which now is 20 to get back the second teacher. It is not a question of the school bringing the number of pupils back to over eight; once the number falls below eight, the number has to increase to 20. That is the rule and that is what we were told by officials in the Department and that is what the Minister told them. Can he confirm to the House that in fact is the situation?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What I can say to the Deputy and confirm to the House is with regard to isolated communities, particularly island schools, I am reconsidering that rule.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I sincerely welcome that. That is very progressive and important. I am glad the Minister has recognised the unique community situation on the island and, in many cases, the unique cultural heritage that we have inherited. I have often pointed out that we keep crying over the Blasket Islands, but the culture that was there is long gone but that culture is alive and well on islands like Inis Meáin and the Aran Islands. As the Minister's policy progresses, can the Minister confirm that the number of one-teacher schools in the country is likely to increase from under ten to about 60?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is what the figures suggest and in those cases in the first instance it is for the board of management to decide what it thinks is the best for the future for the school.