Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
581. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will have four teachers for the school year 2015-2016, in view of the schools projected enrolment figure of 93 pupils in September 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15305/15]
View answerThe staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie.
The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools.
An appeals process is also available to small schools. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school has been informed that its appeal has been upheld on the basis that it achieves an enrolment of 83 pupils on 30th September 2015.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
