Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
81. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene to ensure that a school (details supplied) does not lose a teacher in the next academic year due to being one pupil short of the retention figure [35387/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced. A three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been upheld, pending confirmation of the school's enrolment in September. The school has been informed of this decision.
