Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2012
95 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the staffing allocation to a DEIS 2 school (details supplied) in County Cork for the school year 2012/2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17415/12]
View answerThe staffing arrangements for the 2012/13 school year are set out in Primary Circular 0007/2012 which is available on my Department's website. This includes details of the reform of the allocation process which is designed to bring a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools. Applying the new staffing schedule for Band 1 DEIS schools to this school and the Government's decision to retain posts from previous disadvantage schemes, there is no change to the number of mainstream class teachers for the 2012/13 school year over 2011/12 school year. The new arrangements incorporate a long overdue updating of the General Allocation Model (GAM) combining learning support for high incidence special needs and language support for all schools. It also includes changes to NCSE approved (low incidence) resource hours in the base schools or in neighbouring schools. This approach builds on the interim arrangements that operated in 2011 but in a more structured and transparent manner. The allocation processes also include an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are set out in the circular referred to above. For the coming school year the existing staffing appeals criteria have been extended to enable some limited phasing arrangements for schools where the combination of budget and reform measures impact in a particularly adverse manner on a school's overall allocation. The closing date for submission of appeal was 23 March, 2012. The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an appeal.
