Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that he will not proceed with the amalgamation of small rural schools as proposed in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme. [41209/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the proposals in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes are being considered as part of the estimates process for 2010. The decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.

While I will have to await the outcome of these deliberative processes, I can confirm that there are no plans to close small schools at the moment other than those that would arise in the normal course under the current sustainability limits. I fully acknowledge the attachment of local communities to their schools and the association of the school with a sense of place.

However, I am of the view that my Department will have to examine the implementation of more strict guidelines in relation to the number of pupils required for the sustainability of schools. The Deputy may be aware that building projects involving amalgamation of schools already attract a high band rating within the Schools Building Programme.