Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
262. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure that the pupils of a school (details supplied) do not end up in overcrowded classes of over 30 children to a single teacher due to her officials refusing to allow the retention of a 12th teacher from 24 October 2020 onwards; if she will she intervene to have the decision reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30038/20]
View answer266. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will request her officials to provide for the temporary retention of a fourth first class teacher at a school (details supplied) for the duration of the 2020/2021 school year. [30107/20]
View answer271. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education her plans to reverse the decision to remove a teacher from a school (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the school is asking for the temporary retention of the teacher until June 2021; her views on whether the removal of the teacher will make it more difficult to maintain social distancing in view of the fact that it will result in four classes of 24 students becoming three classes of 32 students; her further views on whether the disruption caused by the removal of the teacher will have a negative impact on the progress of the students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30178/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 266 and 271 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 30th September.
However, the staffing arrangements for primary schools also includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September, in this case September 2020.
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a teaching post on developing grounds, but has not achieved the required enrolment on 30th September. This school is 57 pupils below what they had indicated as their projected enrolment for September and the enrolment returned by the school for September 2020 is lower than the previous September's enrolment.
The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The school has submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board which will be considered at its meeting later this month. The school will be informed of the Board's decision in due course.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
