Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of his continuous dialogue with the authorities of smaller, rural or urban schools including those with a religious ethos with a view to ensuring that their concerns are adequately addressed in line with previous commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9695/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Our current configuration of small primary schools has been examined by my Department in a value for money review, which I am considering in consultation with my Government colleagues. There are many aspects to be considered in regard to school provision, apart from pupil enrolment. Among them are questions such as availability of diversity of provision, ethos of schools, parental choice, language of instruction, pupil travel distances, transport costs and the impact of schools on dispersed rural communities. I am mindful of the concerns of small schools and will take them into account in considering any planning framework for future provision of schools.