Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014
265. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact that it is a DEIS school and the fact that the enrolment will significantly increase in 2015-16; and her views on leaving the number of teaching staff at present there the same. [39187/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 30th September. The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 58 on 30th September 2013 which allows an allocation of 3 classroom teachers to the school for the current 2014/15 school year.
The Staffing Schedule includes the provision where schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds. The staffing process also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. No such application for the 2014/15 school year has been received from the school.
The staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year will be published early in 2015 and this will enable schools to determine their staffing levels for that school year.
