Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
283. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal under the Primary Staffing Appeals Board for the 2023-2024 school year; if she will consider this appeal given the exceptional accommodation difficulties being faced by the school and the disruption that will be caused if the school loses a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46346/23]
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.
For the 2023/24 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 23 pupils which is a historical low ratio.
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 appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy was considered by the Board and it was determined that the grounds of the appeal did not warrant a departure from the staffing schedule. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
