Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
379. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for next academic year, 2013/14, with regard to the number of teachers in each of the primary schools in Ratoath, County Meath; if the number of teachers will decline on the academic year 2012/13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/13]
View answerThe Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will be no reduction in teacher numbers in primary 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. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year (Circular 0013/2013) were published in February and are available on the 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 schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0013/2013.
The allocation process at individual school level is currently underway. The Staffing Appeals Board held its first meeting in late March and schools have been notified of the outcome of their appeals.
The final staffing position for all schools will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.
