Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the policies her Department applies to small schools and the point at which it is decided that one should close and amalgamate with a larger school. [25430/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialing new administrative supports. The Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities.

The current small schools' action research project established in 2021 is being extended for a further two years. The project has brought small schools together in local clusters, enabling them to collaborate, identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.

It includes six clusters of small schools, two in Galway and one each in Donegal, Kerry, Wicklow and Waterford, consisting of between three and five schools per cluster. The feedback from schools has been extremely positive and this is reflected in the interim evaluation report due to be published by my department shortly. The independent review identifies potential areas for closer collaboration and an analysis of the scalability of actions already undertaken. As the project progresses a further evaluation will take place.

Learnings from this evaluation of the current project will be invaluable and form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools. This will feed into the delivery of this important Programme for Government Commitment.

The decision making authority for a school closure is the patron of that school. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level. A proposed closure is then subject to the agreement of the Department of Education and Youth.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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446. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide overview of the consultation processes that her Department leads when a school closure or amalgamation is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25431/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision-making authority for any change of status, including school closure or amalgamation, is the patron/trustees of the school concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration.

Any proposal for amalgamation or school closure must involve extensive consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level. Such proposals are subject to the agreement of the Department of Education and Youth.

The Programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialing new administrative supports. The Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities.

The current small schools' action research project established in 2021 is being extended for a further two years. The project has brought small schools together in local clusters, enabling them to collaborate, identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.

It includes six clusters of small schools, two in Galway and one each in Donegal, Kerry, Wicklow and Waterford, consisting of between three and five schools per cluster. The feedback from schools has been extremely positive and this is reflected in the interim evaluation report due to be published by my department shortly. The independent review identifies potential areas for closer collaboration and an analysis of the scalability of actions already undertaken. As the project progresses a further evaluation will take place.

Learnings from this evaluation of the current project will be invaluable and form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools. This will feed into the delivery of this important Programme for Government Commitment.