Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2012
92 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 which has two teachers allocated to it under the Giving Children an Even Break scheme; if the school is likely to lose a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4611/12]
View answerThe announcement I made on 11 January in relation to my Department reporting to me within four weeks refers only to the impact of the withdrawal of certain posts allocated under previous disadvantaged schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools. The school to which the Deputy refers is not included as part of this report as the school in question is not included in the DEIS programme but retained, on a concessionary basis, teaching posts from previous disadvantaged schemes.
My Department is finalising the staffing allocations for schools for 2012-13 and is not in a position at the moment to give details as to how this measure affects individual schools. In addition to the budget measures, consideration must be given to the effect of increases and decreases in enrolment on schools' staffing entitlements annually. Schools will be notified in the coming weeks of their staffing entitlements under the new arrangement for 2012-13.
93 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the impact that budget 2012 will have on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4744/12]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The relevant appointment and retention figures for mainstream staffing for the coming school year have been published on the Department's website.
However, the staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be affected by changes in their enrolment, the impact of other budget measures and the reforms to the teacher allocation process. The reform of the allocation process is designed to bring a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools so there will inevitably be some schools that will lose posts and some schools that will gain posts.
My Department's focus is on implementing the staffing arrangements for the coming school year and I do not propose to divert scarce staffing resources to deal with the individual type queries from the Deputy. My Department will be notifying schools in the coming weeks of the new staffing arrangements for 2012/13 school year.
