Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
290. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the situation in a school (details supplied) that will soon lose a teacher, leaving three classes to be taught in one classroom; and if he will consider maintaining the current number of teachers in the school in view of the pressures that will be on schools when they return and the need to maintain social distancing within classrooms. [12632/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. 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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the staffing appeal process are set out in Circular 18/2020, available on the Department website.
