Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
292. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education her views on class sizes increasing by approximately 35% to 40% due to a reduction in the staff allocation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29067/23]
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 enrolment thresholds for the appointment of classroom teachers for the 2023/24 school year are set out in Appendix A of Circular 0006/2023, available on the Department website.
There will be no reduction in teaching staff in the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2023/24 school year.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March meeting of the Appeals Board. The appeal was refused on the basis that the grounds of appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional teacher. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
