Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2012
102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the retention of current staffing numbers at a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when it is expected to publish plans for rural schools; if he will maintain current staffing numbers pending such an announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42504/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra73 small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board considered appeals from any of the 73 schools that could show that their projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teacher over the longer term. 38 small schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy had their appeals provisionally upheld by the Appeals Board subject to confirmation that their actual enrolments in September 2012 reach the required level. The required level of enrolment projected by the school in question failed to materialise at 30 September 2012, resulting in the loss of a classroom post.
A Value for Money review of small primary schools is almost complete and my Department expects to publish the report in the near future. I hope that this report will foster constructive engagement both in the Oireachtas and among all interested parties in looking at the challenges ahead and how best to make provision for primary education in rural and dispersed communities.
In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement.
