Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the programme for Government commitment of no closure of small schools has been achieved to date in 2016. [40844/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide rural communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents.

I can confirm to the Deputy that this Programme for a Partnership Government commitment has been adhered to.