Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Commencement Matters

School Staffing

10:30 am

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I certainly do. I was asked to respond to a particular matter, which I did. I would be quite happy to come back for a Commencement matter to discuss rural Ireland, as would the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Ann Phelan. When the Minister changed the criteria for two, three and four teacher schools, it was widely welcomed. A positive decision has been made and it has been communicated to the school but it is of no use to anybody to generate fear among people about the possible loss of a teacher. The school meets the criteria. It has a projected enrolment of approximately 93 pupils but the criteria is 83.

The Minister sets out policy, as she or he should, and an independent body should decide on appeals. For far too long things were done in a backhanded way in this country and we should not go down that route. The criteria should be laid down by the Government and there should be an independent appeals body. Whether one gets a school, a classroom or an extra teacher should not be because one knows the local Senator, Deputy or councillor. It is the role of the Government to lay down the policy and the criteria and there should be an independent appeals body. That was not always the case but it is under this Government. I am happy that an independent body adjudicates on any appeals, as it should.

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