Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2018
94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a third teacher will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42635/18]
View answer101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal by a school (details supplied) will be successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42736/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 101 together.
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 schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 47 on 30 September 2017. This allows for a mainstream allocation of Principal and 1 classroom teacher for the current school year.
The letter referred to by the Deputy seeks the appointment of a third teacher to the school for the 2019/20 school year. The staffing arrangements for the 2019/20 school year have not yet been finalised but will be published in early 2019. At that point, schools who wish to appeal their staffing allocation may submit a staffing appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Full details of the appeal process, along with the appeal application form, will be available on the Department website.
