The Fine Gael/Labour Government has no plans to close small rural schools, claims local TD Denis Naughten.

I have raised this matter directly with Minister for Education Ruari Quinn TD, pointing out that this would have a serious impact on small rural communities especially in counties like Leitrim and Roscommon.

Both the Taoiseach and Minister Quinn have made it clear that they have no plans to close small rural schools and that the review presently underway was instigated by former Minister Mary Coughlan.

Deputy Naughten has made a formal submission to the Minister for Education behalf of every small school in County Roscommon and County Leitrim pointing out that “what is of vital importance is that the educational quality for the pupils, while also taking into account both the needs of local communities and wider social and cultural factors”.

“I understand that the Department of Education has received almost 1,000 submissions to the value for money review of small primary schools and it is expected that the review should be completed by the end of this year,” concluded Denis Naughten.