Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012
24 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the conclusions of his review of forthcoming school transport changes; the impact that this will have on the viability of small schools; if consideration was given to these factors prior to the review of the staffing allocations for rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25721/12]
View answerI take it the Deputy is referring to the primary school transport changes. You will be aware that from September 2012, primary school transport eligibility for those pupils entering in September 2012, will be restricted to pupils who meet the distance eligibility criterion and are travelling to their nearest school.
Sample surveys undertaken by Bus Éireann show that the majority of children are in fact attending their nearest school, so this budgetary measure will not have any practical impact on the majority of children.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools are 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 staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be affected by changes in their enrolment, the impact of budget measures and the reforms to the teacher allocation process.
