Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to publish the findings of the review on value for money of small primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The value for money review on small schools is part of the normal review processes undertaken by all Departments on an annual basis on selected areas of expenditure and is being conducted in line with the standard procedure for value for money reviews. These procedures require that the views of stakeholders be obtained and the public consultations were designed to achieve this aim. This was done by issuing a direct invitation to relevant interest groups to provide a submission. The interest groups included the school patron bodies, management bodies, teacher unions, the National Parents Council, Irish language groups and other groups who operate in the area of social inclusion.

A letter inviting submissions was issued on 8 February 2011 to these interest groups and a deadline for reply was set for 18 March. As these groups represent a wide spectrum of membership, it could be reasonably expected they would communicate with their membership in regard to the review. In addition to the direct letter of invitation issued to these groups, a general invitation for submissions was posted on the Department's website also at the same time. The large response of more than 1,000 submissions seems to support the view that there is high awareness of the review and a lot of interest in it.

The review will attempt to explore the general policy options for the reorganisation of small schools, including the sharing of resources and clustering arrangements towards small schools. It is important to clarify that this study is part of an overall requirement across all Departments to have a rolling programme of such studies. The review was initiated last October by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and is not driven by any ideology. It is simply about ascertaining the facts to inform future policy. It does not mean that any policy decision has been taken at this point or any particular outcome is sought. Given that the Government has recently announced a comprehensive review of expenditure, all Government expenditure and programmes will come under similar scrutiny.

The terms of reference acknowledge the important role primary schools play in their local communities. In considering any policy change in relation to small schools, the Department is conscious that there is a wider dimension to be considered in addition to the cost of maintaining small schools. Among the issues that will need to be taken into account are availability of diversity of provision, ethos of schools, parental choice, language of instruction, travel distances, transport costs and the impact of schools on dispersed rural communities. The review will examine the locations of small schools relative to each other and to other schools of a similar type. It will examine the costs of running small schools and the educational outcomes associated with small schools.

Educational quality for the students must be one of the main criteria in any consideration of primary school size. We must also consider 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 regional and national levels. The review should be completed by the end of 2011. Following completion, it will be submitted to me for consideration of its conclusions and recommendations. It is too early to give an expected publication date.