Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
332. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the next steps she will take for the schools cluster programme; the implications for class sizes especially in rural schools; and if her Department is seeking additional funding to sustain these rural schools. [50881/26]
View answerThe current small schools project is being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. The project comprises twenty-six small schools in six clusters, with between three and five schools per cluster. The clusters are supported by part-time local coordinators sponsored by the education partners, who work with a national project coordinator under the guidance of a steering group. The project has brought these small schools together in local clusters, enabling them to collaborate, identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.
The pilot project will continue until the end of this calendar year to provide adequate time for the final evaluation of the pilot to take place. In order that the evaluation can be completed successfully it will be necessary for the clusters to remain in place for the duration of the evaluation process.
Therefore, the supports that are currently in place in the clusters will remain in place for the duration of the evaluation. For example, the innovation fund will remain in place to ensure that any commitments or liabilities currently in progress can continue to be met. The current provision for management release days will also continue and commitments in relation to staffing will also remain in place for the entirety of the 2026/27 school year.
This final evaluation is key to setting out important learnings to inform future evidence-based policy development and long-term strategic planning for all small schools. This is to give effect to implementing the Programme for Government commitment to ‘introduce a new national Small Schools Project for all 1,300 small primary schools to protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports.
