To ask the Minister of Education, when her Department or the Education Authority decides to close a rural primary or post-primary school, is that body required to produce an impact assessment on the rural area/community.

On publication of a Development Proposal (DP) and where rural considerations are engaged, the Education Authority (EA) as part of its assessment of evidence confirms that they have carried out a Rural Needs Assessment. The EA sets out its analysis of suitable, alternative, good-quality rural provision. Advice provided to inform a decision takes account of any pertinent statutory duties and, for smaller schools which tend to be located in rural areas, due regard is given to the requirements of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

Rural proofing has been a requirement for all Government departments in Northern Ireland since 2002 and has been an integral part of the Area Planning process. In 2016, the commitment to rural proofing was strengthened with the introduction of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016. The Act places a duty on Government departments to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans and when designing and delivering public services. A Rural Needs Impact Assessment is recommended in the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEARA) guidance but not a statutory requirement.

“Schools for the Future: A Policy for sustainable schools” - the Sustainable Schools Policy (SSP) is the cornerstone of the Area Planning process. The SSP recognises the needs of rural communities and this is reflected in:-

a lower enrolment threshold for primary schools serving rural areas (minimum enrolment of 105 compared to 140 for urban areas);

an accessibility criterion which provides guidance on home to school transport times; and

a “strong links with the community” criterion recognises the central place a school has for many communities, both urban and rural.

I would like to see vibrant sustainable rural education provision, this will require genuine collaboration across all sectors. I have specifically asked my officials to develop a programme to support sustainable education provision in rural areas. This is outlined in my Written Statement to the Assembly in August 2021.