Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
426. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education the reason for the decision to extend the planned class size reductions to DEIS Band 1 senior schools only, and not DEIS Band 1 junior and vertical schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34605/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the criteria applied to class size reduction; and the reason DEIS Band 1 schools vertical and junior school are not included in the class size reduction. [34779/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 434 together.
Under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.
As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1.
The total budget allocation of additional funding of €2 million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5 million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need. My Department is considering options on how best to achieve this.
