Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (629)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

629. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers and SNAs, respectively in employment funded by her Department by primary and secondary schools; the increase in funding she will allow to ensure that these numbers can be increased to ensure that class sizes can be reduced in order that schools can return in line with public health requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16792/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that my Department published the report, “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” and announce a funding package of more than €370 million for primary and post primary schools to supports its implementation.

€53m has been provided for additional teaching and guidance posts in post-primary schools. 1000 additional teachers will be allocated to post-primary schools to help reduce class sizes.  A teacher allocation equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.6 will be allocated to schools in the free scheme.  This allocation will support the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary.  These posts will also provide for management supports.    In addition an allocation, equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.1 will be provided in respect of Guidance provision to support student wellbeing.  It is recognised that, notwithstanding these measures to post primary schools, challenges may remain to allow some post primary schools to fully and safely reopen.  A teacher allocation, through an appeal process, will be available to support these schools. 

As part of the package of supports, funding of €41.2 million has been allocated to provide enhanced substitution in primary schools and eliminate the need to mix classes when a teacher is absent.  Supply panels are being established nationwide.  These will be monitored in terms of the number of teachers and the location of each panel.

Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level.  My Department will work with schools on the options available to implement the public health advice in respect of physical distancing in schools.  In terms of operating in this school year, schools will be required to look at maximising all available physical space particularly to accommodate larger classes.  Examples of class layouts have been provided to support schools. The minor works grant has been provided to assist schools if they need to reconfigure classroom or undertake other work.   Schools will also be required to look at how classes are organised in terms of size and this may require some reorganisation of class groupings. Where a school cannot implement social distancing, the use of additional resourcing including additional staff will be considered.

In the 2019/20 school year, there were 37,839 teaching posts at primary level and 30,623 at post-primary.  The final allocation of teaching posts for the 2020/21 school year will not be known until the Autumn after confirmation of enrolments on 30th September and the conclusion of the staffing appeals process in October. Currently, 16,856 SNAs have been allocated across primary, post-primary and special schools for the 2020/21 school year.

Barr
Roinn