Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
244 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which adequate teaching staff to meet the needs at primary and secondary level is currently available; her plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30885/04]
View answerThe staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
It is open to school authorities to submit an appeal on the mainstream staffing, under certain criteria, to an independent appeals board which is now in place to consider such appeals.
Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department will consider applications for additional short term support.
An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of any such allocations from my Department.
My Department also allocates additional teaching support to primary and second level schools to cater for disadvantaged pupils, pupils with special educational needs, traveller pupils and non-national pupils with English language difficulties.
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratios at both primary and second level in recent years. The ratio at primary level has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003-04 school year, while at second level the most up to date statistical data indicate that the ratio has fallen from 16.0 : 1 to 13.6: 1 in the same period.
In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratios within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas.
