James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a busy afternoon, Ceann Comhairle. I thank Deputy Tully for raising this very important matter. I am glad to have the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education, to update the House on the response.

On primary school staffing, the key factor in determining the level of staffing resources provided to an individual school is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The primary staffing arrangements for the 2024-25 school year are set out in Circular 11/2024. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar schools equally, irrespective of location. It is an important feature of the staffing schedule that all schools are treated equally and fairly.

In the three previous successive budgets, priority has been given to improving the staffing schedule in primary schools. This has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of one classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. A three-point reduction in the retention schedule introduced in 2021 assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. Teacher allocations were also improved for DEIS urban band 1 schools, where pupil-teacher ratios now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

On the staffing appeals process, the staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism allowing schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain published criteria. The appeals board works independently of the Minister and the Department and comprises four members, typically retired school principals and a retired inspector. Schools can appeal under a number of different criteria including small school appeals, exceptional accommodation difficulties and projected enrolment posts. The primary staffing appeals board meets three times per year, in March, June and October.

In some instances, the appeals board may approve posts on a provisional basis in March or June, pending confirmation that the school has achieved the required appointment or retention enrolment threshold on 30 September. In cases where schools do not meet their projected enrolment numbers, the provisional teaching posts allocated during the March appeals process are suppressed. This takes effect from the last working day in October, ensuring that staffing levels remain aligned with actual student numbers in the school.

The school referred to by the Deputy was successful in its appeal to the March meeting of the primary staffing appeals board and was informed that the post was provisional on the school achieving an enrolment of 78 on 30 September 2024. However, the school did not achieve the required enrolment and was therefore informed that the post would be suppressed at the end of October in accordance with the arrangements for provisional posts set out in the primary school staffing arrangements. The school then submitted an appeal to the October meeting of the primary staffing appeals board, requesting to retain the additional post.

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