Written Answers Nos. 113-121
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the pupil teacher ratio has fluctuated in each of the past four years to date; the likely development in this area over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17967/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to maintain the best achievable pupil-teacher ratio at primary and second level over the next three years; if he has identified any particular schools which might require special attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17968/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to maintain the best achievable pupil-teacher ratio at primary and second level over the next three years in County Kildare; if he has identified any particular schools which might require special attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17969/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to monitor the various schools throughout County Kildare which might be in danger of losing a teacher arising from the current economic climate; if he has identified any such schools in the county; the extent to which he and his Department have engaged with the various school authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17971/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to monitor the various schools throughout the country, which might be in danger of losing a teacher arising from the current economic climate; if he has identified any such schools in the country; the extent to which he and his Department has engaged with the various school authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17972/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 114, 115, 117 and 118 together.
The Statistics section of my Department's website contains information relating to pupil teacher ratio (PTR) at primary and second level. Pupil Teacher Ratio in respect of all schools is only available at national level and not disaggregated by county or any other variable. Pupil teacher ratios for the 2012/2013 academic year are currently being compiled and will be available during the summer of 2013. Figures for the 2011/2012 academic year are available on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/
The Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will be no reduction in teacher numbers in primary schools and in free second level schools for the 2013/14 school year as a result of the budget. The DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected with no overall changes to staffing levels or funding as a result of the budget. 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, 2013/14 which are available on the 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. 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.
Questions Nos. 117 and 118 answered with Question No. 113.
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers at primary and post-primary levels due to retire for one or other reasons throughout County Kildare in the current year; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to replace such retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17973/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers at primary and post-primary levels due to retire for one or other reasons throughout the country in the current year; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to replace such retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17974/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
The number of teachers required to retire on a mandatory basis on reaching maximum age is approximately ten per cent of annual retirements. The vast majority of teachers choose on a voluntary basis whether and when they will retire and are required to give notice to their management authority of their intention to do so. Accordingly the likely number of retirements in any year is difficult to quantify in advance.
Teacher allocations are approved annually in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. My Department publishes the staffing arrangements at primary and post primary level on the Department's website and schools are aware of their allocation for each school year. The impact of any proposed retirement on the overall school staffing is dealt with at local school level.
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for new or extensions to existing schools, primary and post-primary currently pending throughout County Kildare; his expectations by way of response in the current year in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17975/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current status of all projects, including those in County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year. The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012, together with my announcement last December of the 50 school projects which are scheduled for construction in the current year as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects, that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan (2012-2016). The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.
