Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014
497. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal is set to lose a member of its teaching staff as and from the academic year 2015-2016; the way this will affect the school’s current pupil-teacher ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39769/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually. 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 arrangements for the 2014-15 school year are set out in Circular 0007-2014 which is available on the Department website. There is no change to the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current 2014/15 school year. The school has three classroom teachers (including the Principal teacher) based on an enrolment of 58 pupils at 30 September, 2013.
Data in relation to enrolment figures in primary schools in the current school year are not yet available to my Department. The number of pupils enrolled in individual schools is provided in the National School Annual Census and refers to the number of pupils enrolled as of the 30th of September in the given academic year. The National School Annual Census is generally returned by schools to the Department by end October.
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 the 2015-16 school year.
