Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
587. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine anomalies in respect of rules to maintain the existing teacher numbers or to increase the number of teachers on foot of enrolments in a number of rural schools, some of which find themselves at a disadvantage in their efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26410/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website. The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools. These improvements particularly recognise the challenges faced by very small schools that are more than 8 km from the next nearest school of the same type.
This package of measures will provide rural communities with security about the future of their small schools, recognising the essential social function which small schools can play, especially in isolated communities. These improvements in the Staffing Schedule for small schools are the only changes that I am making to the staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year.
