Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Questions (147)

Denis Naughten

Question:

147. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an assessment of the impact that changes to pupil-teacher ratios is having on class numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8909/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing schedule is the mechanism used for allocating mainstream teaching posts to all schools. It operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom 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 publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. The most recent statistics are for the 2012/13 school year. The national average class size at primary level is 24.7 pupils. However, with over 20,800 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. My Department's guidance to local school management is that such variations should be kept to the minimum.

The Deputy will be aware that as part of the Budget 2012 decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools with four teachers or less. The first phase of the budget measure took effect from September 2012. The final phase of the budget measure takes effect from September 2014. A total of 122 schools were due to lose a classroom teacher (73 in the 2012/13 school year and 49 in the 2013/14 school year) as a result of the implementation of this budget measure. The appeals process reduced these losses to 43 in the 2012/13 school year and 32 in the 2013/14 school year. A total of 53 schools were due not to gain a classroom teacher (21 in 2012/13 and 32 in the 2013/14 school year). The appeals process reduced this figure to 42 schools. The list of these schools is below.

The allocation process for the 2014/15 school year is currently underway. Early indications are that 34 primary schools are due to lose a classroom teacher for the 2014/15 school year and 6 primary schools will not gain a classroom teacher as a consequence of the implementation of the final phase of the Budget 2012 measure. These figures are preliminary at this stage and would be expected to reduce following the appeals process. The final position will be known in the Autumn.

Schools That Lost A Post in 2012/13 School Year

County	Roll No	School Name	Outcome
Carlow	17174E	S N Bhrighde, Cuan, Carlow, Co Carlow	Successful Appeal
Cavan	06998Q	St Patrick'S Ns, Corlough, Belturbet Post Office, Co Leitrim, Via Co Cavan
Cavan	12099O	Billis N S, New Inn, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan	Successful Appeal
Cavan	17630E	S N Maodhog, Cnoc Brighde, Bailieboro, Co Cavan
Clare	17633K	S N Eoin Baiste, Ballyvaughan, Via Galway, Co Clare
Cork	05636A	Dunmanway Model N S, Dunmanway, Co Cork	Successful Appeal
Cork	17079K	S N Carraig An Ime, Macroom, Co Cork	Successful Appeal
Cork	17281F	Togher N S, Dunmanway, Co Cork
Cork	17533G	S N Rathain, Mallow, Co Cork
Cork	18549D	S N Cnoc Na Croighe, Cnoc Na Groighe, Mallow, Co Cork
Cork	19978I	Maulatrahane Central Ns, Leap, Skibbereen, Co Cork
Donegal	14631O	Scoil Cholmchille, Malin, Lifford, Co Donegal	Successful Appeal
Donegal	16384K	Sn Arainn Mhor Ii, Arainn Mhor, Co Dhun Na Ngall
Donegal	16819T	S N Gort An Choirce, Leitir Ceanainn, Co Dhun Na Ngall
Donegal	16829W	S N Loch An Iubhair, Anagaire, Leitir Ceanainn, Tir Chonaill
Donegal	18219F	Sn Chonaill, Machaire Chlochair, Bun Beag, Co Dhun Na Ngall
Donegal	18251B	Ayr Hill N S Ramelton, Ramelton, Letterkenny, Co Donegal	Successful Appeal
Donegal	18286U	S N Na Hacrai, Ailt An Chorrain, Leitirceanainn, Co Dhun Na Ngall	Successful Appeal
Donegal	19252I	S N Umlach, Carrigart, Co Donegal	Successful Appeal
Donegal	20144M	Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill, Gaa, Bun An Phobail, Co Dhun Na Ngall
Dublin	18642Q	S N Naomh Eoin, Tower Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22	Successful Appeal
Galway	10591I	S N An Ard Mhoir, Carna, Conamara, Co Na Gaillimhe
Galway	10763L	Boston N S, Tubber, Gort, Co Galway	Successful Appeal
Galway	11261P	Scoil Mhuire, An Tuairin, Beal An Daingin, Co Na Gaillimhe	Successful Appeal
Galway	14377D	S N Cill Conaill, Cill Conaill, Beal Atha Na Sluagh, Co Na Gaillimhe	Successful Appeal
Galway	17760R	S N Baile An Leasa, Dunmore, Tuam, Co Galway
Galway	17922R	Cloghans Hill N S, Tuam, Co Galway	Successful Appeal
Galway	18113M	S N Cill Solain, Killasolan, Caltra, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Galway	18289D	Scoil Naomh Iosef, Castlehackett, Belclare Tuam, Co Galway	Successful Appeal
Galway	19283T	Ballymacward Central Sc, Ballymacward Central Sc, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Kerry	09938N	Curranes N S, Castleisland, Co Kerry	Successful Appeal
Kerry	18233W	Scoil Paroisteach, Tralee, Co Kerry
Kerry	18756I	Fibough National School, Caislean Na Mainge, Co Chiarrai
Kerry	19492F	Sn Oilibhear Naofa, Beal Ata Longphuirt, Co Chiarrai
Kerry	19986H	S N Eoin Baiste, Garrai Na Dtor, Liospoil, Co Chiarrai	Successful Appeal
Kildare	17557U	Scoil Abbain Cillin, Maganey, Athy, Co Kildare	Successful Appeal
Kilkenny	14476F	Wandesforde Mixed N S, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny
Laois	18075H	Rathdomhnaigh N S, Rathdowney, Co Laois
Leitrim	17558W	S N Rosan, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim
Limerick	17364J	Scoil Baile An Aird, Baile An Aird, Kilmallock, Co Limerick	Successful Appeal
Limerick	17981K	S N Gleann Na Gcreabhar, Gleann Na Gcreabhar, Cill Mocheallog, Co Luimni	Successful Appeal
Limerick	20233L	Scoil Chaitríona, Cappamore, Co Limerick
Longford	12136R	Scoil Bhríde, Glen, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford
Longford	12736S	Naomh Guasachta N S, Bunlahy, Ballinalee, Co Longford	Successful Appeal
Longford	14300O	Killasonna Mixed N S, Killasonna, Granard, Co Longford
Longford	17724N	Ballycloghan NS, Ballycloghan, Co. Longford
Mayo	14205U	S N Mainistir Muigheo, Claremorris, Co Mayo	Successful Appeal
Mayo	14923E	Keenagh N S, Keenaghbeg P O, Beal Atha An Fheadha, Co Mayo
Mayo	15007V	Partry N S, Claremorris, Co Mayo
Mayo	16295L	Sn An Chorrain, Gob A Choire, Co Mhaigh Eo
Offaly	15638K	Edenderry 2 N S, Edenderry, Co Offaly
Roscommon	07455G	Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Ballygar, Co Roscommon	Successful Appeal
Roscommon	13757I	Tarmon N S, Castlerea, Co Roscommon	Successful Appeal
Roscommon	14966W	Kilteevan N S, Roscommon, Co Roscommon
Roscommon	15217J	Ardkeerin N S, Riverstown, Boyle, Co Roscommon	Successful Appeal
Roscommon	15543W	Tibohine N S, Castlerea, Roscommon
Roscommon	17904P	S N Brusna, Brusna, Bealach A Doirin, Co Roscommon
Roscommon	18005J	Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Fiobhach Diseart, Beal Atha Na Sluaighe, Co Roscomain
Roscommon	18061T	Scoil Mhuire, Ballyleague, Lanesboro Po, Co Roscommon
Sligo	18029A	S N Muire Gan Smal, Druimeanna, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo	Successful Appeal
Sligo	19688W	Dromore West Central, Dromore West, Sligo
Tipperary	00590A	Borrisoleigh B N S, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary	Successful Appeal
Tipperary	09967U	Upper Newtown N S, Upper Newtown, Carrick On Suir, Co Tipperary
Tipperary	17640H	S N Colmain Naofa, Tir Da Glas, Nenagh, Co Tipperary
Tipperary	18322V	S N An Droma, Thurles, Co Tipperary
Tipperary	19540N	Clogheen Central N S, Clogheen, Co Tipperary	Successful Appeal
Tipperary	19640R	Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary	Successful Appeal
Westmeath	01731U	Ballynacargy Mixed N S, Ballynacargy, Co Westmeath
Westmeath	17054R	S N Ard Cianain, Druim, Athlone, Co Westmeath	Successful Appeal
Westmeath	18764H	Ard Na Gcraith N S, Ard Na Gcraith, Walderstown, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Wexford	15883A	Killegney NS, Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Wexford	17117P	S N Cul Greine, Coolgreany, Gorey, Co Wexford	Successful Appeal
Wicklow	14829M	Redcross 1 N S, Redcross, Co Wicklow

Schools That Did Not Gain A Post in 2013/14 School Year

County	Roll No	School Name	Outcome
Clare	18565B	S N Ma Sheasta, Moyasta, Co Clare
Cork	06295F	Freemount Mixed N S, Rathluirc, Co Cork	Successful Appeal
Cork	10724B	South Abbey Ns, Youghal, Co Cork	Successful Appeal
Cork	14726C	Kinsale N S, Kinsale, Co Cork
Cork	16876I	S N Caipin, Iniscein, Co Chorcai
Cork	16901E	S N Padraig Naofa N B, Skibbereen, Co Cork
Cork	16955E	S N Na Mona Fliche, Macroom, Co Cork	Successful Appeal
Donegal	16903I	S N Fothar, Port Na Blaithche, Leitir Ceanainn, Co Dun Na Ngall
Donegal	17130H	Scoil Naomh Dubhthach, Machaire Ui Rabhartaigh, Gort A Choirce, Leitir Ceanainn, Co Dhun Na Ngall
Donegal	18007N	S N Olibhear Pluinceid, Rann Na Feirste, Anagaire, Co Dhun Na Ngall	Successful Appeal
Donegal	18517N	Scoil Mhuire, Dristearnain, Gleneely Po Lifford, Co Donegal	Successful Appeal
Donegal	18844F	Scoil Mhuire, Belcruit, Kincasslagh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Galway	13621G	S N Muire, Letterfrack, Co Galway
Galway	15900U	The Glebe N.S., Aughrim, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Galway	16121B	Attymon N S, Attymon, Athenry, Co Galway
Kerry	12701W	Scoil An Fhaill Mor, Caherciveen, Co Kerry
Laois	18203N	Cul An Tsudaire N S, Cul An Tsudaire, Portarlington, Co Laois	Successful Appeal
Leitrim	20260O	Gaelscoil Chluainín, Sráid An Chaisleáin, Cluainín Uí Ruairc, Co. Liatroma	Successful Appeal
Limerick	04469C	S N Fiodhnach, Killmallock, Co Limerick
Longford	14300O	Killasonna Mixed N S, Killasonna, Granard, Co Longford
Mayo	07374G	Ballintubber N S, Claremorris, Co Mayo
Mayo	14923E	Keenagh N S, Keenaghbeg P O, Beal Atha An Fheadha, Co Mayo
Mayo	17682A	S N Colm Naofa, Coggale, Westport, Co Mayo
Meath	17029S	S N Naomh Cianain, Cushenstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath
Roscommon	15543W	Tibohine N S, Castlerea, Roscommon
Roscommon	18005J	Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Fiobhach Diseart, Beal Atha Na Sluaighe, Co Roscomain
Tipperary	09967U	Upper Newtown N S, Upper Newtown, Carrick On Suir, Co Tipperary	Successful Appeal
Tipperary	18322V	S N An Droma, Thurles, Co Tipperary	Successful Appeal
Waterford	17570M	S N Na Bhfiodh, Cill Mhic Thomais, Co Waterford
Waterford	18257N	S N Baile An Fhasaigh, Ballyfacey, Glenmore, Co Waterford
Wexford	15940J	Tombrack N S, Tombrack, Ferns, Co Wexford
Wicklow	18470N	Naomh Brid N S, Cnoc An Eanaigh, Ballinglen, Co Wicklow