Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
128. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be eligible to gain a second teacher in 2017-18 if they have 15 pupils spread across three class groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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.
New measures announced in last month's budget provides a capacity for one teacher mainland schools to make an appeal to the Staffing Appeals Board for an extra teacher, where the single teacher has children across 6 or more class groups. Before a school can make an appeal to the Staffing Appeals Board it must have a minimum enrolment of 15 pupils.
This is in addition to the measure in respect of island schools. The particular staffing arrangements for island schools are designed to reflect the isolated nature of an island school that is only accessible by boat or by helicopter/aeroplane and the operational and practical difficulties that this can create for the school and, in particular, the availability of teaching staff.
These two measures are important additional supports for rural schools on top of other similar measures introduced recently. However, we have to prioritise limited resources.
The detailed arrangements for this measure including the details on the appeals process will be set out in the staffing schedule Circular for the 2017/18 school year. The Circular will be published in January 2017.
