Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2013
78. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take the very special circumstances of a school (details supplied) in South Kerry into consideration and appoint a third teacher to this school as a matter of urgency; if he will also take into consideration, the fact enrolment numbers have increased from 49 pupils in 2011 to 51 in 2012 to 52 in 2013 and to 57 in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39864/13]
View answerAs part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools is being gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities and my Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are affected by the budget measure. The detailed arrangements in relation to the appeals process are set in the Department's Staffing Circular 0013/2013. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. The context for any discussion about class sizes is that my Department, like all other Government Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. My focus is on ensuring we have school places and teachers for all the additional pupils entering our schools each year. There is no scope to give any consideration to the provision of additional teachers in order to reduce class sizes. Classroom teachers are currently allocated under the published Staffing Schedule on the basis of a general average of 1 teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that variations in class sizes should be kept to the minimum.
