Mystery over future of Gaeltacht school
The Department of Education has had no record of a formal request to approve the closure of an eight-pupil school in the heart of the Gaeltacht – but it has been asked to outline the process involved in amalgamation.
Parents were informed by email that Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde, Leitir Calaidh, Ceantar na nOileán, is to close, and Independent TD Catherine Connolly told the Dáil that the announcement took both the parents and the wider community by surprise.
“The school has fought many battles and has managed to stay open. This is a school that is at the heart of the community. It is in the heart of the Gaeltacht. Already, two other schools have closed in the area,” she stated.
She pointed to the Department’s policy launched in 2016 that aimed to support schools in Gaeltacht communities by providing extra help.
“Now there is an announcement that it is to close. Was the Department aware of this? Was it made aware of this? If so, when and how? What steps is the Government taking in relation to the matter? Has the Department been in touch with the school or the board of management?
“I understand the permission of the Department is necessary when a school is going to close, or certainly, there has to be some interaction between the school and the Department.”
The Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, said the decision to close or amalgamate a school belongs to the patron of the school.
“Any proposal to close or amalgamate a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders - parents, teachers, students and local communities - and follow decisions taken at local level.
“Such proposals must then be agreed with the Department. The Department has no record of a formal request to approve the closure of Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde.
“Furthermore, the Department has been given to understand that the patron has not made any decision regarding the closure of the school.
“While there has been no contact between the school authority and the Department regarding the closure of the school, the Department has received an inquiry from the school authority regarding the process for school amalgamations.”
Deputy Connolly was not impressed.
“If the Department was not aware of it and permission has to be granted, what is the Department’s view of a school board of management behaving in such a manner and making an announcement about an all-Irish school that is in the process of seeking recognition and is so vital to the community?”
There was a principal, one special education teacher and one part-time special education teacher in charge of eight pupils at the Gaelscoil.
The junior minister said the programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to recognise the importance of small schools.
“Small schools are highly 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 activities,” he stressed.
There was an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold and a reduction in the number of students required to retain a teacher, which was introduced in September 2021.
He said he would raise the matter with the Education Minister Norma Foley.