AQW 30251/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/02/2022
Answered On Date: 01/03/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail how the Rural Needs Act Northern Ireland 2016 can be used to protect rural schools.

Answer:

Rural proofing has been a requirement for all Government departments in Northern Ireland since 2002 and has been an integral part of the policy development 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.

Rural proofing means having regard to the potential of a policy to impact differently on rural populations, in comparison with those living in urban areas. Proofing may help identify adjustments which might be made to reflect rural needs and ensure that services are accessible on a fair basis to rural communities.

On publication of a DP and where rural considerations are engaged, the Department as part of its assessment of evidence 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.

Under “Schools for the Future: A Policy for sustainable schools” - the Sustainable Schools Policy (SSP) – a lower enrolment threshold has been set for primary schools serving rural areas (minimum enrolment of 105 compared to 140 for urban areas).

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 to see how it may work to keep education provision in a rural community.