John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for State for the reply. I accept the criteria as outlined but my information is slightly different from that outlined. The information will be confirmed one way or the other. The parents who contacted me were disappointed that they had not been made aware of the position earlier because there would have been no problem getting up to 15 enrolments. Efforts were made and there were 15 pupils in attendance last Friday. I am not sure of the exact details but the numbers will have to be confirmed one way or the other.

If the school's staffing allocation is reduced to one teacher, does that mean that the school will have to close? Given that enrolments are projected to increase, with 11 children from families with pupils in the school due to start in the next two years, the issue is bridging the gap between enrolments at the start of this September and future enrolments in the coming years. A public meeting on this issue is being held on Friday next. I hope the matter can be resolved because Shraheen national school is the heartbeat of the community.