Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she supports the proposals of the IPPN in its document, New Horizons for Smaller Schools and Teaching Principalship in Ireland, on the clustering of small schools; if she will actively support this model as an alternative to amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13510/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the document referred to by the Deputy. My Department supports the principle of co-operation between schools. This matter is specifically referred to in the circular on the ancillary services grant which states that schools may wish to cluster for the purposes of employing a person or persons who could undertake secretarial, caretaking or other ancillary work on behalf of all schools in the cluster.

There are already arrangements in place for the clustering of schools, for example, for learning support and resource teaching and for certain disadvantaged schemes. Teaching principals are allowed a number of days release time each year to enable them undertake administrative, leadership and management functions. The number of days allowed depends on the number of mainstream teachers in the school concerned. Following discussion with the relevant interests, my Department has decided to introduce, on a pilot basis, a system whereby a fully qualified primary school teacher may be employed to act as nominated substitute teacher for the principals in a cluster of schools taking release days. Twenty clusters have been established under the pilot scheme. The position will be monitored by my Department during the pilot.

While my Department will continue to explore other ways in which to enhance clustering in schools, there may be circumstances in which an amalgamation is desirable to provide an improved educational environment for pupils with an efficient supply of services. My Department will continue to facilitate this option.