Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41047/11]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his strategy for ensuring that the tradition of providing education in denominational schools for the Protestant community will be protected in view of cuts to pupil teacher ratios in one, two, three and four teacher schools in Budget 2012 as well as suggestions that smaller schools should look at amalgamating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41091/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the closure of small schools (details supplied). [41158/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding staffing levels at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the closure of small schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41228/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) that will be directly affected by the changes announced in Budget 2012 with regard to the appointment retention figure for small schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41231/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 164, 172, 174, 178 and 179 together.

There is no increase in the staffing schedule general average of 28:1 for the allocation of classroom teachers at primary level. However, there is a phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in small primary schools. As part of the Budget decisions announced, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The schools concerned are those with four or less classroom teachers. It is important to emphasise that no small schools will be closed due to the changes that have been announced.

The phased adjustment is estimated to yield a saving of 250 teaching posts over the next three years, with 100 of these posts being removed in 2012/13 school year. The resulting surplus teachers will be redeployed to vacancies in other neighbouring schools in accordance with the redeployment arrangements.

The phasing of these measures provides the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. We have a very significant number of small schools across the country. The changes that we are introducing will mean that in September 2012 a minimum of 14 pupils will be required for the appointment of the second teacher in the 2 teacher school. The subsequent increases in September 2013 and September 2014 will increase this minimum pupil threshold to 20 pupils. Even when all of these phased increases are implemented the threshold will still be significantly lower than the minimum of 28 pupils that were required for the appointment of the second teacher in schools prior to the mid 1990's. The existing staffing schedule also acts as a disincentive for small schools to consider amalgamation. We have to ensure that the very valuable but limited resources we have available in the system are used in the best and fairest way across the whole system.

A value for money review on small primary schools is currently underway in my Department. This review is part of the normal review processes undertaken by all Departments on an annual basis on selected areas of expenditure and is being conducted in line with the standard procedure for value for money reviews. Work on the review is well advanced and I expect that the report of the review should be available to me early this year. I will then have to consider its outcomes and proposals.