Additional reporting by Kevin Galvin
A new project will see four Waterford schools having the option to share staff and receive further funding.
They'll be encouraged to identify common challenges and receive funding under the two-year initiative.
Six clusters across Waterford, Galway, Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow are being formed, made up of between 3 and 5 schools.
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The Irish Times reports that national schools in Ballycurrane, Grange, Clashmore and Gaelscoil Naomh Parthalán (Par-ta-lawn) in Kinsalebeg will take part as the first cluster in the South-East.
Among the options for the are sharing teachers, organising 'common activities' - including special needs education - and bringing a number of schools under the management of one principal.
