School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 April 2016

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Ceisteanna (424)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

424. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will amend the condition in the staffing appeals mechanism for schools larger than four teachers, where a school will still lose a teacher if it does not have a minimum number of infants despite the projected overall number of students enrolling rising above the threshold required; her views that this is a major disadvantage to rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7488/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing arrangements at primary level include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. There are seven criteria for appeal set out in Circular 0007/2016.

One of these criteria targets schools that are not eligible for a developing post but nevertheless make a significant contribution to the provision of school places which assists the response to demographic growth within their area and as a result are under significant pressure on their class sizes at infants level. A key indicator in relation to these schools is a significant increase in junior infants enrolments. It is envisaged that these schools will typically be in areas of significant population growth.

Schools appealing under this criterion must meet four requirements in order to be eligible to appeal. These are set out in Circular 0007/2016.