Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
114. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of students in schools with DEIS status; the average class sizes and pupil-teacher ratio in schools with DEIS status, with specific reference to the average figures for schools with DEIS status in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27860/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that in the current school year (2016/2017) the DEIS School Support Programme provides support to 826 schools serving a total of 171,031 pupils.
There are 641 schools at primary level serving 103,630 pupils (116 of which are Urban DEIS Band 1 primary schools in Dublin and 44 of which are Urban DEIS Band 2 primary schools in Dublin). There are 185 post primary schools serving 67,401 pupils (57 of which are in Dublin).
The staffing arrangements for schools are published annually by my Department. Arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are set out in Department Circular 0007/2016 which is available on the Department's website.
The primary staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Band 1 schools, ranging from 20:1 in junior classes to 24:1 in senior classes.
My Department publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. The most recent statistics are for the 2015/16 school year and are available on the Department’s website.
Post Primary DEIS schools currently have a Pupil Teacher Ratio of 17.95:1. The PTR in non-DEIS Post-Primary schools is 18.7:1.
Further information on the additional supports available to DEIS schools under the School Support Programme is set out below.
As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the DEIS programme is currently underway and, as I have recently announced, a New Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will be published before the end of this year.
Resources provided under the DEIS programme:
Resources for Band 1 Schools
- Reduced class sizes (A new dedicated staffing schedule applies to DEIS Band 1 primary schools from September 2012, with pupil teacher ratios of 20:1 in junior schools, 22:1 in vertical schools and 24:1 in senior schools)
- With effect from September 2012 DEIS Band 1 schools are given an allocation of 0.2 of a post, where the school has less than 200 students, and 0.4 of a post where the school has 200 or more students, additional to the mainstream provision of 0.2 of a post in all-boys & mixed school and 0.16 of a post in All-girls schools.
Resources for Band 1 and Band 2 Schools
- The appointment of an Administrative Principal in Band 1 schools is based on 116 pupils and in Band 2 schools is based on 144 pupils
- Access to Home/School/Community Liaison (HSCL) services
- Access to range of supports under School Completion Programme (SCP)
- Access to literacy/numeracy support service to specific literacy/numeracy measures
- Access to transfer programmes
Resources for Band 1, Band 2 and DEIS Rural schools
- Additional non-pay/capitation allocation based on level of disadvantage
- Additional funding under School Books Grant Scheme
- Access to Schools Meals Programme
- Access to planning supports
- Access to a range of professional development supports
Resources for DEIS Post-Primary schools
- From 2016/17 school year, all DEIS post-primary schools will be targeted for additional support through an improved staffing schedule of 17.95:1.
- DEIS grant paid based on level of disadvantage and enrolment
- Access to Home School Community Liaison services
- Access to Schools Meals Programme
- Access to range of supports under School Completion Programme
- Access to Junior Certificate Schools Programme
- Access to Leaving Certificate Applied Programme
- Access to planning supports
- Access to a range of professional development supports
- Additional funding under School Books Grant Scheme
Department of Education and Skills
27th September 2016
