Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which have contacted his Department regarding the impact of cutbacks on their schools each year between 2006 and 2011; the number of schools which had to cut subjects from their timetables during each of these years and which subjects were cut; if any of these schools have offered those subjects after school hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1476/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I fully acknowledge that the reduction in resources to schools will be challenging for schools. However, the change must be seen in the context of the major challenges we have as a Government in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent that we can in these exceptional times. The net impact on overall teacher numbers in our schools has been minimised to the greatest extent possible. Teacher allocations to schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions.

The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities. Accordingly the type of information requested by the Deputy is dealt with at individual school level rather than centrally within my Department.