Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
503. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the primary schools in County Kerry that are due to lose a mainstream teacher or teachers for the 2021-2022 academic year compared to their 2020-2021 staffing complement; if she will prevent such losses given the additional challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic is presenting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24403/21]
View answerThe 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.
For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.
The staffing process also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria. The final staffing position will be confirmed in October once the staffing appeals process has been completed.
