Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in regard to budget 2012, along with all other cuts in education, Gaeltacht schools are being particularly targeted and are under threat because of the proposals; he will appreciate the work and the valuable contribution that these schools in Gaeltacht areas are doing in fulfilling their obligation in promoting the Irish language in their localities as per the Education Act; if he will give due consideration to the prevailing linguistic circumstances in each Gaeltacht area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3596/12]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will at the very minimum suspend the retrospective element of the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for all schools with fewer than 86 pupils. [3668/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the impact that his decision to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in Irish medium schools to that of mainstream schools will have on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal with the loss of a much valued teacher and the setback this is to its progress in promoting the growth of the Irish language as the only Gaelscoil in east Inishowen and maintaining the standard of education available to the children there. [3983/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the effect that changes to pupil-teacher ratios and DEIS criteria announced in budget 2012 will have on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3985/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the impact the budgetary decisions in relation to two, three and four teacher schools will have on each primary school in County Mayo based on their enrolment as of 30 September 2011 in tabular form. [4004/12]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise comprehensively as to the position of a primary school (details supplied) in County Longford in relation to staffing schedule adjustments announced in budget 2012 in the context of where at 30 September 2011 it had 50 pupils registered in order to allow it maintain its status as a three teacher school, having satisfied the enrolment threshold and where at 30 September 2012 it will have 54 pupils enrolled which exceeds the new 51 pupil enrolment threshold at that date; if he will confirm that they can sanction their third teacher at this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4047/12]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of primary school staffing, as announced in budget 2012 and with particular reference to the staffing schedule for schools with less than 86 pupils, which will increase the minimum number of pupils required for allocation of teaching posts, if he will confirm that where, for example, a school is a three teacher school which satisfies the current enrolment threshold of 49, which will increase to 51 in September 2012, it will be allowed to demonstrate that it can achieve the threshold of 51 in September 2012, by way of the appropriate school census which has to be completed by 30 September 2012 and if achieving the minimum number of 51 it will be allowed to retain its third teacher as heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4048/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 206, 227 to 229, inclusive, 237 and 238 together.

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. The staffing schedule at primary level disproportionately benefits small primary schools. It is worth noting that we have 3,200 primary schools across Ireland. Over two thirds of those schools have more than 86 pupils and, as a result, have far higher average class sizes than all of the schools affected by this measure. For example a two teacher school with 32 pupils has an average class size of 1 teacher for sixteen pupils. In contrast, a typical ten teacher school with 272 pupils has an average class size of 27.2 pupils. It is important to retain a sense of perspective and balance when discussing this matter and to realise the exceptionally favourable supports my Department will continue to provide for small schools.

For that reason, as part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. Even when all of these phased increases are implemented, the threshold for small schools will still be significantly lower than the minimum of 28 pupils that was required for the appointment of a second teacher in schools prior to the mid-1990s.

The phasing of these measures can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. If amalgamations take place, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department. My Department's focus is on implementing the staffing arrangements for the coming school year and I do not propose to divert scarce staffing resources to deal with the individual type queries from the Deputies. My Department will be notifying schools in the coming weeks of the new staffing arrangements for 2012/13 school year.