Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to meet the concerns and requirements of the patrons of smaller rural schools of the Protestant ethos; if he has had further discussions with such school authorities with a view to reaching agreement on the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29373/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question is to ascertain the extent to which dialogue continues between the Minister of State's Department and schools with a Protestant ethos, some schools with a Catholic ethos and various other schools that may find themselves at a disadvantage by virtue of their geographic location or position relative to other schools. There is a need to try to do what is best in such circumstances with a view to ensuring children have ready access to school.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I am aware of the concerns of all the patrons of smaller rural schools, including those of a Protestant ethos. How best to sustain provision for widely dispersed and small Protestant communities presents as a particular challenge, especially in any locality where the number enrolling in the school is declining to single figures and amalgamation is not an option because there is no other school nearby. The Government is intent on fostering pluralism in school provision. Supporting minority churches in maintaining their schools is part of that policy. Nevertheless, resources have to be distributed to schools in a transparent and equitable manner. In this regard, pupil numbers are the fairest basis on which to allocate resources to a school, irrespective of its type. Eight small schools of a Protestant ethos were successful in their staffing appeals for September 2014.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I acknowledge the current position as he set it out. However, I ask him to keep in mind the need to recognise the position of some of the minority-religion schools, which have been, from the foundation of the State, accorded a particular provision by virtue of their minority status. In order to ensure that this continues to be recognised, could the Minister of State indicate the extent to which dialogue is ongoing with a view to attempting to ensure the schools' fears are assuaged in so far as this can be done, notwithstanding the economic situation?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On the Deputy's question on dialogue, there is continuing dialogue on ensuring pluralism within the education system. Let me refer to a specific example. With the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr. Paul Colton, and Mr. Owens of Cork Education and Training Board, we have in Mallow, where a small Church of Ireland school closed, fashioned a new model that will create a precedent for an education and training board to join a Church of Ireland school in creating a brand new school. What we are talking about is ensuring the recognition of the faith and the right of those with that faith to educate their community accordingly. We must try to ensure there is a model, or models, to allow this to continue.

It is worth noting that there are 194 primary schools with a Protestant or Presbyterian ethos out of a total of 3,146. Based on the enrolment figures for September 2013, nine of those have one teacher, 73 have two teachers and 36 have three or more. Therefore, there is recognition of the community. There is no question about that. It is a matter of how we apply lateral thinking in coming up with solutions when numbers are decreasing in individual schools to such an extent that we need to consider new models.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Again, I thank the Minister of State. Is he satisfied, based on the discussions to date with the various school authorities, that an amicable and fair solution can be found for schools that may be affected?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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There is no doubt about that. There is satisfactory dialogue on ensuring the future of these schools and on recognising the challenges they face regarding pluralism in education. The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes".