Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent, if any, 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; 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. [25766/13]
View answerThe 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. 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 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.
