Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:540. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS primary schools that are due to lose teaching staff for the 2022-2023 academic year. [31881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 June 2022
Ceisteanna (540, 541)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:541. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS primary schools that will lose teaching staff for the 2022-2023 academic year due to being one pupil short of the relevant threshold. [31882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
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.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. These posts are approved provisionally pending confirmation of enrolment on 30th September.
The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.
The final staffing position will be confirmed in October once the staffing appeals and projected enrolment processes have been completed.
Question No. 541 answered with Question No. 540.