Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is including schools of a Protestant ethos in his review of small schools, given there are large distances between schools of a Protestant ethos in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5980/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A review was initiated in October 2010 by the then Fianna Fáil/Green Party government in order to establish the value for money being achieved from state funding of small primary schools. All primary schools with a total enrolment of less than 50 pupils come within the terms of reference of this review.

Educational quality for the pupils must be one of the main criteria in any consideration of primary school size and organisation, taking into account both the needs of local communities and wider social and cultural factors. Decisions on school provision and reorganisation must be widely perceived to be cost-effective, equitable and reasonable. These decisions need to be based on a rigorous evaluation of requirements and needs, not just at a local level but also at both regional and national levels. I do not have a predetermined view on the outcome of the review. The review should be completed by the end of this year and I plan to consider the review's outcomes when they are finalised.