Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11624/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11626/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11627/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11628/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11629/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11630/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11631/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11632/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11633/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11634/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11635/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11636/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will now confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11638/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 to 72, inclusive, together.

The Report on the Net Impact , in terms of posts, of Budget Measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes, pre-dating DEIS was published on 21 February 2012.

On foot of the analysis of this report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in the 140 DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools which were identified as being impacted by the possible loss of posts. However, staffing identified for individual schools are affected by a number of net factors such as demographics - impact of increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reform of the teacher allocation process to update the General Allocation Model and the move away from a 'top up' to the staffing schedules.

As already announced the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed. These involve 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools, 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools. A fully accurate comparison between the staffing levels in DEIS schools in the current school year and the 2012/13 school year can only be made when the allocation process is fully completed later in 2012 to include applications by schools for developing posts, the Appeals Process, clustering arrangements for GAM and the allocation of resource hours by the National Council for Special Education.

The priority for my Department now is to complete the teacher allocation process and to issue notification to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitlements for 2012/13 and the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools. The report is available on my Department's website.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11639/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11640/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11641/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11642/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11645/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11646/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11647/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his recent announcement on DEIS posts, if he will confirm that there will be no changes to DEIS posts in schools in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11648/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 82, inclusive, together.

The Report on the Net Impact , in terms of posts, of Budget Measures on DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 urban primary schools that still had additional posts allocated under disadvantage schemes, pre-dating DEIS was published on 21 February 2012. On foot of the analysis of this report, the Government agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in the 140 DEIS Band 1and DEIS Band 2 schools which were identified as being impacted by the possible loss of posts. However, staffing identified for individual schools are affected by a number of net factors such as demographics - impact of increasing and decreasing enrolments, the reform of the teacher allocation process to update the General Allocation Model and the move away from a 'top up' to the staffing schedules.

As already announced the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed. These involve 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools, 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools. A fully accurate comparison between the staffing levels in DEIS schools in the current school year and the 2012/13 school year can only be made when the allocation process is fully completed later in 2012 to include applications by schools for developing posts, the Appeals Process, clustering arrangements for GAM and the allocation of resource hours by the National Council for Special Education.

The priority for my Department now is to complete the teacher allocation process and to issue notification to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitements for 2012/13 and the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools. The report is available on my Department's website.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the impact that Budget 2012 will have on a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11762/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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. 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.

This Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times. The teachers in small schools cannot be immune from the requirement that is being asked of all public servants to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources.

My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. They won't lose their classroom post if any of them are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular that is now published on my Department's website. The closing date for submission of appeals for the April meeting of the Staffing Appeals Board is 23 March, 2012.