Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
164. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils expected to be placed in a school (details supplied) following the amalgamation of two schools; the additional resources and staffing and facilities that will be available for the school to cater for this increased number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24717/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department approved the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in question following an application from the schools' Patrons. A Long Term Projected Enrolment of 800 pupils was agreed with the respective Patrons.
I can also confirm that my Department approved significant capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA), to create capacity for this amalgamation with the project devolved to the school authority for delivery.
Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on my Department's website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. New schools, including newly amalgamated schools, can appoint a Principal from 1 September in the year prior to the school opening.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
