School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024

Thursday, 25 April 2024

Questions (206)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of schools with a principal and two mainstream teachers, which based on enrolment figures of September 2023 are due to lose a teacher for the 2024/2025 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with one a principal and one mainstream teacher that are due to gain a teacher based on enrolment figures of September 2023, based on the present teacher pupil schedule in their school; whether it is intended to change this schedule this year for smaller schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18640/24]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Due to improvements brought about in recent budgets,  the teacher allocation ratio is at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. 

The staffing of a school is based on the staffing schedule for the current year and enrolments on the previous September.  Of the 362 schools with Principal and 2 mainstream teachers, 6 are due to have a teaching post suppressed for the 2024/25 school year on the basis of falling enrolments as relayed to the Department on the September 2023 returns.  There are 495 schools with Principal and 1 mainstream teachers, 2 of which will gain a post for the 2024/25 school year.  Staffing allocations for the 2024/25 school year will not be finalised until the Autumn when the staffing appeals process has completed and provisional posts are confirmed.

Any further improvement in the teacher allocation ratio would have to be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.