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Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Questions (72)

Chris Andrews

Question:

72. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure that the pupils of first class in a school (details supplied) do not end up in overcrowded classes of over 30 children to a single teacher due to the refusal of her officials to allow the retention of a 12th teacher from 24 October 2020 onwards; if she will have the decision reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29983/20]

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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 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.

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