Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
82. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the damage to our second level schools after three years of cuts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21880/14]
View answerI acknowledge the challenges faced by schools in managing the overall impact of budgetary measures in recent years. However the change must be seen in the context of the major challenges we have as a Government in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent that we can in these exceptional times. The net impact on overall teacher numbers in our schools has been minimised to the greatest extent possible. The Government has protected frontline services in schools and there will be no reduction in teacher numbers in second level schools for the 2014/15 school year as a result of budget 2014. 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. When the moratorium on the filling of posts of responsibility was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all primary and post-primary schools and these posts continue to be replaced in the normal manner. I have also provided alleviation arrangements at AP level. These arrangements are set out in Circular 0004/2014 which provide a floor by which schools acutely affected at AP level by the impact of the moratorium can fill their AP vacancies as they arise to the level of the thresholds set out in that circular. It continues to be a matter for each individual school authority to re-organise and prioritise the appropriate duties for post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing the moratorium. Schools have autonomy on how best to prioritise their available resources to meet their requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to its students. Decisions on how this is done will be taken at school level and I am confident that schools will act in the best interest of students when determining precisely how to use the teaching resources available to them.
