Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
636. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the loss of a teacher from a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36101/15]
View answer637. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will retain the current teaching complement at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36102/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools are published annually on the Department's website. 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 process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The staffing arrangements and appeals process for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is on the Department's website.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board meets three times per year, in March, in May and in October. The Department has not received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The Deputy will be aware that I have announced a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule in the context of Budget 2016. The improved staffing schedule which is available on the Department website will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. The staffing arrangements, including the appeals process, for all schools for the 2016/17 school year will be published early in 2016.
