Education Minister Richard Bruton says his department is “concerned” about the ongoing situation at Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde in Faughart which has left the school without any pupils.
Following an ongoing dispute over the running of the school parents opted to withdraw their children from the school, leaving it without any pupils.
Just six had returned when school recommenced in the last month but they have since been accommodated elsewhere.
That action was seen as the last straw after parents felt their concerns over a Whole School Evaluation report carried out by the Department weren’t appreciated.
The issue of the school was raised in the Dáil with Richard Bruton by local TD Gerry Adams yesterday.
The Sinn Féin president asked the Minister to meet with parents to ensure the school isn’t closed.
In his address Deputy Adams said it was “unacceptable” that the Minister was standing back and allowing a rural school to close.
Responding Minister Bruton said his department was committed to keeping the school open.
“It is not policy to see schools such as this close, but, ultimately, these decisions do not rest with it. The decisions and the authority to make them rest with the patron and the school community, but the Department is working to try to find a solution.
“As recently as today, officials had a meeting with the school authorities and the patron. We will continue to engage with the school management and the patron to address the matter. It is our desire to achieve a solution, whereby parents will have the confidence to send their children back to the school.
“I am informed that the school manager is taking this task seriously and I hope that, with the support of the wider community, we can find a solution that will protect the continuing role of the school which has a proud tradition dating back many years. It is a difficult issue, but we are working vigorously with local interests to find a solution and open to continuing that work.”
Minister for Education Richard Bruton discussing the matter of Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde in the Dáil yesterday
He added: “We have to rebuild the parents’ confidence at local level through the work of the school management supported by the professional staff we are making available to it. It is not a political scenario where someone goes in and bangs heads together. The parents will have to be content with it for a long period. They have to work with those taking responsibility and be convinced that it can work for them.
“We absolutely stand by small schools. There is a commitment in the programme for Government not to close schools unless that is the desire locally. Parents have voted with their feet as to their view on this issue. We need to retrieve the position. I am putting in the professionals in my Department to work with the community to come up with an answer. We will continue to offer that support in order to find a solution.”
