Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year expenditure saving arising from his decision to implement from 2012 a phased withdrawal of supports in some schools from earlier disadvantage programmes or schemes predating the current DEIS scheme. [1753/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is important to note that a key aspect of the EU/IMF Programme of Support and Ireland's overall budgetary strategy is a requirement to reduce the public sector payroll. In the Education sector finding savings and controlling the increase in public sector numbers is particularly difficult given that one third of all public sector employees work in the education sector.

Savings measures for my Department announced in the budget are estimated to provide savings of some €76 million in 2012 increasing to some €241 million in 2014. Included in the savings proposals is a range of measures for reform within the education sector to ensure optimum use of the significant investment being made in education by this Government.

Achieving this level of savings in my Department's budget has required very difficult decisions across various expenditure streams alongside meeting the demographic pressures of a school going population that is increasing. This is a significant challenge in our education sector, unlike other countries, as we have a rapidly rising schoolgoing population requiring additional school places for the extra 70,000 pupils arriving in our schools in the next six years.

Providing for increased enrolments is a key priority and while achieving savings in my Department's budget has required very difficult decisions to be made the Government has shielded, to the greatest extent possible, front-line services in schools.

Conscious of the concerns of some schools that will be adversely affected by the withdrawal of certain posts under previous disadvantage schemes, I have met with school principals, teachers, parents and communities in recent weeks, to hear their concerns and clarify the position in relation to changes announced under Budget 2012. Consequently, I have asked my Department for a report within the coming weeks on the position of DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 schools who currently have posts under older schemes, in the context of the staffing allocations due to issue to all schools in the coming weeks.

My Department is currently working on the staffing allocation for all schools and is not in a position at the present time to give details of staffing measures for individual schools. Schools will be notified in the coming weeks of their staffing entitlements under the new arrangement for 2012/13.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the proposed strict criteria for the small primary school teacher complement with a view to providing more flexibility so that they can continue providing high-quality education, as these schools are a crucial factor in maintaining the fabric and viability of rural areas; if he will take cognisance of the fact that the majority of these schools have been extended and upgraded in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1761/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will retain the three-teacher status of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry which had an extension built in the recent past and is in excellent structural condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 123 together.

The Deputy will be aware that as part of the budget 2012 decisions, 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 forcibly closed by my Department due to the changes that have been announced.

However, the existing staffing schedule acts as a disincentive for small schools to consider amalgamation. At a time of great strain in our public finances, we have to ensure that the very valuable but limited resources available for the education system are used in the best way possible. 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 decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. My Department's role is to facilitate any such proposal or discussions between the relevant parties. I want to reiterate that the initiative for an amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Board of Management and in particular, the Patron. I have said on several occasions that any decisions to amalgamate schools will be taken at a local level.

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 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. It is hoped that all school communities will consider how greater efficiencies and better educational outcomes can be achieved for all of our children.

Given the constraints on capital funding, the Government has to prioritise school building projects and the very real need to ensure that every child has access to a school place. The need, if any, for any capital expenditure to facilitate an amalgamation will depend on the individual circumstances of the schools concerned. In determining the level of expenditure, my Department must take account of the continuing requirement to manage expenditure within the context of overall educational policy and the level of capital provision available at the time.

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

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the budget changes to the guidance counselling allocation in second level education; if he will take cognisance of the fact that students will be deprived of one-to-one counselling support for a wide range of personal problems and issues including low self-esteem, family breakdown, mental issues, self-harm and bereavement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a circular will issue to schools in respect of the employment of career guidance counsellors following the changes announced in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1802/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 125 together.

The change that has been announced gives schools greater autonomy in how they allocate staff resources to best meet the needs of their students, including how they provide for guidance and counselling. It is a change to how resources are allocated to schools not a policy decision to terminate guidance provision as some may chose to present it.

Until now, a specific resource was provided for guidance in addition to the standard teacher allocation to post primary schools. In future, schools must meet their guidance requirements from within the overall resource provided by that normal staffing schedule. Individually schools can continue to make provision for guidance and counselling. Decisions on how this will be done will be taken at school level in the best interests of students and to ensure the best use of resources available. In this way, the main teacher allocation can be maintained at 19:1 for schools generally, while schools will have discretion to balance what they allocate for guidance against the competing demands of providing subject choice.

I have also provided for the filling of 300 Assistant Principal posts in second-level schools over the level originally planned. This will ensure that schools have sufficient management positions to ensure appropriate supports are available for all students.

A key priority for me is to continue to prioritise and target available funding at schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage. All 195 second-level school in DEIS will be given targeted support by a more favourable staffing schedule of 18.25:1. This is a 0.75 point reduction compared to the existing PTR of 19:1 that applies in non-fee-paying second-level schools.

The budget measures, including those relating to guidance, come into effect from September 2012. Schools will be notified in the normal manner in relation to these changes. My Department will be issuing a Circular in the coming weeks that will outline the staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/13 school year. The Department will set out the position clearly and this should dispel any potential for misunderstanding the budget measure.