Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Commencement Matters

School Staffing

10:30 am

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The school is not entirely happy. I am asking for a review of this case, on the basis of the criteria that was sent out to the school. The previous Minister for Education and Skills was implementing a system which would have ensured that small rural schools would be closed. The particular school to which I refer would have been affected but this is not just an issue for that school. This is about rural schools not just in Kerry but also in the Taoiseach's home county of Mayo.Almost 50 years ago, John Healy spoke about the loss of services. Over the past number of years, we have seen the loss of services, such as post offices and banks, and of social facilities, such as pubs, but in particular schools. The Minister's stated policy is for the amalgamation of schools in rural areas. By implementing the requirement in regard to the pupil teacher ratio, the Minister was effectively closing schools by stealth over time.

Handing over this decision to an independent body, as was done by previous Governments, is washing one's hands of the process in a Pontius Pilate fashion. The Minister is in charge of education but she is saying she has nothing to do this, the board has been informed and the decision is independent. Many of the decisions in regard to how this country is run have been taken away from Members of this House and of the other one. Education is the most important factor in improving our society. Decisions in regard to schools in rural areas cannot be abdicated to third parties and must rest with the Minister.

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