Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to encourage or propose voluntary clustering of rural primary schools having regard to the fact that 75% of the network of the 3,200 primary schools cater for nearly 25% of the 500,000 primary school population; if his attention has been drawn to the positive outcome this would create in terms of resources and an efficient deployment of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37093/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Clustering arrangements exist within the primary system for the sharing, in certain instances, of specific resources such as resource teaching posts and also rural coordinator support.

While there are currently no formal arrangements for the sharing of general resources or facilities it is open to schools to enter into local arrangements themselves e.g. in relation to pooling of existing ancillary grants so as to improve their level of secretarial or caretaker provision.

My Department remains open, of course, to considering any proposal from patrons or schools on other types of school clustering arrangements or inter-school co-operation that would result in improving the efficiency or effectiveness of existing levels of resources. Ensuring we get value for money for the taxpayer is obviously a priority for me. We're continuing to find efficiencies where possible. It is incumbent on all of us that given the financial situation we deploy staff and other resources in the most effective way across the education sector.