Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013
114. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reversing the phased adjustments at primary level to staffing schedules for one, two, three and four teacher schools announced in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41726/13]
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 target savings from this budget measure is 250 posts over the 3 year period. 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 out 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. It is not possible to reverse the budget measure in relation to small primary schools. The budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will be announced at budget time. The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils. I recently received the report of the Value for Money Review of Small Primary Schools and I am currently considering it. I intend to discuss the report's contents with my Government colleagues. The Report will be published in due course following this consideration process.
