Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
659. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to protect and support small schools in rural areas; the way In which demographic change and enrolment thresholds are taken into account in education policy and school planning; the steps being taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10428/26]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities. The Programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialling new administrative supports.
The current small schools' project is currently being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. Learnings from the evaluation of the current small schools' project will be invaluable and will form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools. This will include the development in my department of future proposals to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.
