Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the decision to terminate the rural co-ordinator scheme in a school (details supplied) can be overturned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3751/11]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to remove the Rural Coordination Service from 331 rural DEIS primary schools, including the school to which the Deputy refers, is just one of a range of measures included in the National Recovery Plan 2011 to 2014, to secure some €24m in savings in the 2011/2012 school year. The service will be discontinued with effect from 31 August 2011.

This measure will not affect the provision of Home School Community Liaison services which remain in 200 post primary and 345 urban primary participating in DEIS.

The set of measures included in the National Recovery Plan 2011 to 2014 impacts on every sector of the public service and will unquestionably lead to significant challenges for schools as well as the Department in the coming years. The major challenge will undoubtedly be to seek improved outcomes for children with fewer resources.