Written Answers Nos. 253-270
253. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the numbers of Student Universal Support Ireland grant appeals where a final decision was made on each day in April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39641/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in April 2013, in 21 processing days, a total of 720 final decisions were made on grant appeals, an average of 34 decisions a day.
256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding education cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39672/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 267 together.
The context for any discussion about class sizes is that my Department, like all other Government Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. My focus is on ensuring we have school places and teachers for all the additional pupils entering our schools each year. There is no scope to give any consideration to the provision of additional teachers in order to reduce class sizes. Classroom teachers are currently allocated under the published Staffing Schedule on the basis of a general average of 1 teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that variations in class sizes should be kept to the minimum.
