Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Some 73 small primary schools were originally due to lose classroom teachers in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil-teacher thresholds. The staffing appeals board considered appeals from all of the 73 schools that could demonstrate their projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teachers over the longer term. A total of 35 small schools had their appeals provisionally upheld by the appeals board, subject to confirmation that their actual enrolments in September 2012 reach the required level. In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement.

See this speech in context