Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 April 2026
124. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of one and two teacher schools that have been closed in each county for each of the past twenty years, in tabular form. [31148/26]
View answerThe decision-making authority for a school closure is the Patron of that school. Any proposed closure involves extensive consultation at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers and local communities.
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including one aimed specifically at small schools, to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The arrangements for primary school staffing, including information on the appeals process, for the 2026/27 school year will be published in the Spring. The details requested by the Deputy regarding the number of school closures by county since 2020 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.
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 Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities.
