The majority of protestant schools in County Donegal face the threat of closure if the government continues with its plans to close or merge institutions with fewer than 20 pupils.

This is according to two Donegal clergymen, who have issued a statement warning the proposal could be very damaging to the survival of 27 out of the 31 protestant schools in the area, the BBC reports.

Father John Joe Duffy, Church of Ireland Minister in Ardara, said: "While these savage budget attacks are not directly aimed at Protestant schools, indirectly it will close down almost every Protestant school in Co Donegal and many throughout the country."

Meanwhile, reverend John Deane claimed the community is "devastated" by the plans and there is a sense among residents that part of the local culture and identity will be lost.

Speaking at the recent annual conference of the Irish Primary Principals Network, director Sean Cottrell condemned the idea of amalgamating primary schools, claiming doing so would damage communities.

Written by Donal Walsh

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