Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to support small rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47442/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Rural schools make up the majority of our primary school sector: nearly 2,000 out of just over 3,100 schools. They are valued in their communities in that they provide a vital link to local heritage and history, help sustain rural populations and often act as a link for sports and social activity.

The majority of rural schools (over 1,200) are classed as small- having 4 or fewer teachers. Whilst facing the challenges and opportunities that all schools do, this particular group of schools has specific challenges. I have been listening to our partners around this and discussing what we can do to support small schools and ensure that they have a sustainable future.

The Programme for Government makes a commitment not to close any small school without the consent of parents and I am honouring this partnership approach.

I have spoken with international colleagues to hear their perspective and, together with my colleague Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, hosted a Symposium on Small Schools. I am actively engaging with the people and organisations who work in and with small schools and who understand the value and opportunities they offer to communities.

We have already announced additional supports in Budget 2020. This record level of investment in the sector is providing for an extra release day for teaching principals and improved teaching staffing levels for small schools. The work now underway in relation to small schools seeks to build on this and is being advanced through the Primary Education Forum.  It is planned that policy supports for small schools will be developed to feed into the Estimates process for 2021.