Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which discussion has taken place with the various school authorities likely to be affected by the loss of one or more teachers in September next; the extent if any to which it has been possible to identify or achieve a satisfactory resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/13]
View answer290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent, if any, to which he has identified the possibility of the loss of teachers throughout the primary sector in the current year; if he expects to be in a position to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
The Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will no reduction in teacher numbers in primary schools and in free second level schools for the 2013/14 school year as a result of the budget. The DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected with no overall changes to staffing levels or funding as a result of the budget. When account is taken of additional posts for demographics at primary and second level there is an estimated net increase of up to 900 posts on overall teacher numbers for the 2013/14 school year compared to the current 2012/13 school year. The 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 staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year at post primary level have just recently been published and the arrangements at primary level will be published shortly. The staffing process for the 2013/14 school year at individual school level is currently underway. The allocation processes at both primary and post primary level 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 annual staffing arrangements.The final staffing position for all schools will not be known until later in the year when the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.
