Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
263. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be provided with a language support teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18384/13]
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 arrangements set out in Circular 0013/2013 also include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under the EAL criterion. The Board rejected the appeal at its meeting on the 27th/28th March 2013. The school has been notified in this regard. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final.
