Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of one-teacher primary schools in the country in each year since the school year starting September 2011; the number of such schools in each year belonging to minority faiths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45102/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The number of one teacher primary schools has increased from 11 in September 2011 and September 2012 to 29 in September 2013 and 44 in September 2014. Given that the last of the Budget 2012 phased increases in pupil thresholds has been implemented the overall number of one teacher schools should now start to stabilise.

In relation to the 44 schools in the current school year, 6 of those are schools newly established to meet demographic need and will therefore grow in size quickly. 26 of the schools have a school of the same patronage within an 8km distance of it. Of the remaining 12 schools, four are on islands and four are Church of Ireland. I am providing a table for the Deputy setting out the breakdown of the ethos for each year.

The Government recognises the importance of small schools to rural communities. However, this does not mean that they can be exempt from the budgetary measures that have contributed to putting our public finances on a more sustainable basis.