Written answers

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Department of Education and Skills

DEIS Scheme

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will give consideration to concerns raised by a union (details supplied) and school principals regarding the need to extend the planned class size reductions in order that DEIS band one senior schools, DEIS band one junior and vertical schools are included in the measure; if she will meet with the union to discuss same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31940/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 reason for this is due to the fact that the differential has narrowed further following the announcement of an overall reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. 

The total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2milion in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million 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 and I intend to engage with the relevant stakeholders, including the union referenced, as to how best to achieve this. 

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