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School Staffing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Ceisteanna (89, 90)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

87 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of schools throughout the country likely to experience a reduction in teacher numbers from or at September next; the number of teachers likely to be negatively affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26116/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

88 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number and location of schools in County Kildare likely to be affected by a reduction in teacher numbers from or at September next; the number of teachers likely to be affected arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26117/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.

The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. This is all the more challenging to achieve at a time of rapidly increasing enrolments in our schools.

Teacher allocations are approved annually in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. My Department has published the staffing arrangements at primary and post primary level for the coming school year, 2012/13. The relevant circulars, Primary 0007/2012 and Post Primary 0009/2012 are available on my Department's website.

At post primary level and in accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions.

The allocation processes at both primary and post primary level also include an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are set out in the circulars referred to above. For the coming school year the existing staffing appeals criteria have been extended to enable some limited phasing arrangements for schools where the combination of budget and reform measures impact on a particularly adverse manner on a school's overall allocation. The Appeal Boards operate independently of the Department and their decisions are final.

The final staffing position for all schools at primary and post primary level will ultimately not be known until the autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and any appeals to the Staffing Appeal Boards will have been considered.

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