Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in addressing the specific issues of rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30968/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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73 small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The Staffing Appeals Board considered appeals from any of the 73 schools that could show that their projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teacher over the longer term.

38 small schools had their appeals provisionally upheld by the Appeals Board subject to confirmation that their actual enrolments in September 2012 reach the required level.

In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement.

There are quite a number of small primary schools in rural areas. A Value for Money examination of small primary schools is underway and my Department expects to publish the analysis and findings shortly after the summer.

I hope that this report will foster constructive engagement both in the Oireachtas and among all interested parties in looking at the challenges ahead in the provision of primary education, with particular reference to rural and dispersed communities.