Two of the 12 remaining one-teacher primary schools in the State have closed following the end of the current school year.
The closure of Shannonbridge NS in Co Offaly and Naomh Mhuire Boys NS in Lanesboro, Co Longford, has further depleted the number of single-teacher schools, which were once such a strong feature of rural Ireland. At least one other school is also understood to face the threat of closure next year due to falling enrolment.
One-teacher schools can struggle to meet the requirements of the Department of Education.
These state that if a school's enrolment falls below eight students for two consecutive years, it must close or amalgamate. If enrolment reaches 12 or more it is, however, entitled to an additional teacher.
Commenting on the closures, David McVeigh, chairman of the One Teacher School Support Group, said that the beauty of such schools was the "very family-like" atmosphere. Mr McVeigh is a principal of a former one-teacher school in Co Sligo which has seen its enrolment increase in recent years.
"There are a small number of children, and a small number of family units, so everyone knows one another," he said.
However, a major issue facing teachers in these schools is the health and safety implications should an accident occur.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin is known to be sympathetic to the situation of such schools. But John Carr, general secretary of the INTO, called on her yesterday to implement a commitment included in the programme for government which states that where amalgamation is not possible a classroom assistant will be provided.
The remaining one-teacher schools are: Baltard NS, Doonbeg, Kilrush, Co Clare; Scoil Naomh Cholmcille, Tory Island; Gartan NS, Letterkenny, Co Donegal; SN Naomh Bhride, Muighras, Carna, Co Galway; Fealeview NS, Abbeyfeale; Martinstown NS, Kilmallock, Co Limerick; St Michael's NS, Ardnaree, Ballina; SN An tSraith, Claremorris, Co Mayo; Mantua NS, Castlerea, Co Roscommon; SN Eanach Mór, Gurteen, Ballymote, Co Sligo.