Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
615. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of two-teacher schools; the minimum number of pupils required to keep the two teachers; if exceptions can be made to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36626/15]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools are published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the current school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the Department website. The circular sets out the improvements that I introduced 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 available to small schools in the event that they can show that their projected enrolments are sufficient to allow them to retain their classroom teacher in the longer term. Details of the appeal criteria are also set out in the published staffing arrangements. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools at primary and post-primary level, including teacher numbers. The most recent published information relates to the 2014/15 school year.
