Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
799. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department will adhere strictly to the staffing ratios announced for DEIS schools given the extra difficulties faced by such schools during recent Covid-19 crisis; if a school (details supplied) will face the loss of a teacher in the new term; the grounds for appeal and deadlines for receipt of such appeals to the relevant authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31625/21]
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 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
Budget 2021 provided for a one point improvement to the staffing schedule and introduced new retention levels for all schools. On the 1st March 2021, I announced a further package of measures to tackle educational disadvantage, which extended the one point improvement to all DEIS schools.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal criteria is published in Circular 19/2021, available on the Department website.
The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted a staffing appeal which will be considered by the Appeals Board and the school will be informed of its decision shortly. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department.
