John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for selecting this Commencement matter. I have been contacted by the parents of the children who attend Shraheen national school in Knockmore, County Mayo, and by Councillor Neil Cruise about the school's pupil numbers and teacher allocations. The school has two teachers at present. Just 14 pupils were enrolled in the school at the start of the school year in September. In accordance with Department of Education and Skills criteria, an extra pupil needed to be enrolled in the school by the 30 September deadline so that it could retain its second teacher. My understanding is that a 15th pupil was in attendance at the school last Friday, 28 September. I understand that up to 11 children from families that are already in the parish and the catchment area will be enrolling in the school in the next couple of years. This does not take account of any extra pupils who might come to the school from outside the area in that time.

I will explain the dilemma that is being faced by everybody in the area. If the school can stay open for this year, it is projected that its numbers will increase thereafter. As the number of pupils in fifth and sixth class is small, just two pupils will leave in the next two or three years. It is projected that something like 11 pupils will come into the school during that time. I understand that the deadline which was given was not relayed to the parents until after the school opened for the new term in September. This meant that the timeframe for getting an extra pupil enrolled was very tight. I presume the returns from Shraheen national school are not in yet. I am raising this matter because schools in local parishes and local areas are obviously very important for the people of those communities. It is important for the high standard of teaching in this school to continue.I thank the Minister of State for being here to deal with this matter and I accept that the Minister for Education and Skills is not available.