Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the numbers of voluntary amalgamations will increase as a result of the increases in pupil enrolment thresholds for the retention of teaching posts in two, three and four teacher rural schools; if he will explore the option of savings via shared services between rural schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38539/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools.

The phasing of these measures can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. I made clear at the time that if amalgamations take place as a result of this budget decision, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department.

The Deputy has also raised questions about the scope for schools to work together via shared savings to achieve savings. I believe it is important that we do whatever we can to harnessing the purchasing power of all schools to help reduce costs for individual schools. A key government priority is to substantially reduce costs and achieve better Value for Money (VFM) through reforming public procurement. As part of this reform the Office of Government Procurement is being established to centralise procurement across the public service and this has potential to reduce costs including also for schools.