Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2008

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Ceisteanna (620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

614 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41316/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

615 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41317/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

616 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41318/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

617 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41319/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

618 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41320/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

625 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

626 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41328/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

627 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41329/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

628 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41330/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

629 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41331/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

630 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

631 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41333/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

632 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41334/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

634 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41336/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

635 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41337/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

636 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41338/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

637 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41339/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

638 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41340/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

639 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41341/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

640 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41342/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

641 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41343/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

642 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41344/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

643 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

644 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41346/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

645 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006/2007 and to date in the school term 2007/2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009/2010; the projections for this school in the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41347/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 to 618, inclusive, 625 to 632, inclusive, and 634 to 645, inclusive, together.

The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure could not be totally spared. The various impacts at school level were included in the Budget day announcements. Even with the Budget measures in place there will still be a significantly increased borrowing requirement in 2009.

My Department will be advising individual schools in the normal way in relation to their staffing and grant allocations. The preparatory work for this has commenced with the processing of enrolment data that has been received from schools. The staffing allocation processes including notification to schools will commence early in the New Year. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. In addition to the mainstream classroom teachers my Department also allocates teaching resources to schools for special needs and language support. The final allocation to a school is also a function of the operation of the redeployment panels which provide for the retention of a teacher in an existing school if a new post is not available within the agreed terms of the scheme.

I have no difficulty in setting out for this House or for the public generally the overall changes on aggregate teacher numbers or on grant levels in schools for the 2009/10 school year. I will do this when the allocation processes have been completed. Furthermore the staffing schedule will be published and it is a transparent and clear way of ensuring that schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand.

At this time the priority for my Department within the resources available to it is to carry out those processes in a timely manner. Diverting resources in order to compile either historic information or to create staffing or funding profiles for all of the individual schools requested by the Deputy, information which at this time could only be speculative, could not be justified and would in fact impede the process.

Questions Nos. 619 to 624, inclusive, answered with Question No. 591.
Questions Nos. 625 to 632, inclusive, answered with Question No. 614.
Question No. 633 answered with Question No. 599.
Questions Nos. 634 to 645, inclusive, answered with Question No. 614.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

646 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006-2007 and to date in the school term 2007-2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009-2010; the projections for this school in the 2009-2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41348/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. While the education sector was protected to a much greater extent than other areas of public expenditure, it is also affected. The various impacts at school level were included in the Budget Day announcements. Even with the Budget measures in place there will still be a significantly increased borrowing requirement in 2009. That said it should be noted that the recent budgetary announcements do not affect the criteria used for the allocation of teaching resources to the school in question. Likewise, while I appreciate that the abolition of a range of grants may have some impact on funding to the school in question, it should be noted that this school is funded on an annual budget system which is used to meet the costs of expenditure for pay costs in the case of non-teaching staff, and also the day-to-day running costs. The school furnishes my Department with an estimate of its budgetary requirements for the year. The school's budget is determined on the basis of the previous year's spending, taking into account such things as incremental progression and any increases due under national pay agreements in pay expenditure and inflation in relation to non-pay expenditure. This process will commence shortly for the 2009 calendar year. With regard to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, it is not possible to compile this in the time available but I have asked my officials to send this directly to him as soon as possible.

Questions Nos. 647 to 652, inclusive, answered with Question No. 599.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

653 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, following the recently announced changes for the 2009 education budget, he anticipates to the staffing levels of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; the grants paid to this school for the school term 2006-2007 and to date in the school term 2007-2008; the changes in grants and funding he anticipates for the school year 2009-2010; the projections for this school in the 2009-2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41355/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

It is not possible to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy in the time available but I have asked my officials to send this to him directly as soon as possible. However, I can say that the recent budgetary announcements do not affect the criteria used for the allocation of teaching resources to the school in question. Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions were outlined in the Budget day announcements and included the abolition of a number of specialist grants for primary and post-primary schools.

We are committed to investing in education but we have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given economic circumstances. Overall some €20 million has been allocated to improving the capitation and ancillary funding for schools.

While I appreciate that the abolition of a range of grants will make it a challenging year ahead, most of the available funding was used to increase the standard rate of capitation grant at primary level to €200 per pupil. The increases in the enhanced rates for special needs pupils in special classes and special schools brings the top rate up to almost €1,000 per pupil. I clearly will want to improve funding as soon as circumstances permit and I am anxious to make the capitation grant mechanism the single funding channel rather than have disparate grant schemes, thereby giving schools more flexibility and discretion on how to target funding to the school's own priorities based on its knowledge and understanding of the needs of the students it serves. There is the added advantage that administration and accounting can be reduced for schools and my Department. The Budget measures will help ensure that Ireland is well positioned to benefit when the global economy improves and we can start to build again on the significant achievements of recent years and do so in a manner consistent with overall prudent management of the Irish economy.

Barr
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