Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
204 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected enrolment numbers for September 2012 in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the number of teachers including resource teachers and other learning support available to the school for the school term 2012/2013. [30616/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra205 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected enrolment numbers for September 2012 in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the number of teachers including resource teachers and other learning support available to the school for the school term 2012/2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30617/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The 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. The staffing schedule for the 2012-2013 school year, Circular 0007/2012, is available on my Department's website.
The staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be affected by changes in their enrolment, the impact of budget measures and the reforms to the teacher allocation process. As part of the new staffing arrangements my Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small primary schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. Such schools will not lose their classroom post if they are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012.
The final staffing position for all schools will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.
