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School Staffing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Ceisteanna (191)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

250 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the negative impact the pupil teacher ratio, reduction in grants and the removal of the minor works grant is having on a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; his policy in relation to these matters; the action he will take to assist such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21633/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This Government has protected education as much as it can. Far greater reductions in expenditure and in the number of public servants are being made in other sectors relative to those in schools. But there are limits to the level of expenditure on education and the number of teaching posts we can afford.

The budget measures in relation to the staffing schedule were focused on small primary schools. The Government fully recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a major feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable in difficult and challenging times. Teachers in small schools cannot be immune from the requirement that is being asked of all public servants to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources.

As part of the new staffing arrangements small primary schools that were due to lose a classroom post under the budget measure and who are now projecting increased enrolments for September 2012 were given access to the appeals process. Schools that were projecting increased enrolments to the required levels had their appeals provisionally upheld by the Staffing Appeals Board at its recent meeting. The retention of these classroom posts will be subject to confirmation of the actual pupil numbers in these schools in September.

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