Skip to main content
Normal View

School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (109)

Seán Crowe

Question:

109. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision to reduce the teaching staff by one teacher at a school (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the impact of Covid-19 to date on junior infants and their schooling. [11656/20]

View answer

Written answers

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 arrangements for the 2020/21 school year are available in Circular 18/2020, which is published on the Department website.

The staffing schedule currently operates at a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level.

There will be no change to the mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy in the 2020/21 school year

The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.

Top
Share