Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

No school likes to lose a teacher - that is quite simple and straightforward - but it is wrong for a desire to preserve the status quo in regard to teacher numbers and class sizes to result in unnecessary anxiety in local communities over the future of their schools. It is important that the staffing levels in small schools be affordable and sustainable, particularly in these very difficult and challenging times. In this regard, it is not sustainable to continue with advantageous staffing arrangements which, for example, provide a second classroom teacher in a school with just 12 pupils.

Concerns were raised during the debate yesterday evening about the retrospective element of the budget measure. Deputies Griffin and Kyne made specific reference to this again this evening. The Minister stated very clearly in the debate yesterday evening that the existing staffing appeals process will be accessible to small schools. Schools that are projecting increased enrolments that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term should take particular note of this fact. The details on how the system will operate will be made clear in my Department's forthcoming circular on the staffing arrangements for the 2012-13 school year, which will be issued shortly to all schools.

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