Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding smaller one-teacher to four-teacher primary schools; the number of teaching posts lost in September 2012 and projected to be lost in September 2013 due to the changes in the appointment schedule; the number of schools which appealed the loss of a teacher in 2012 and 2013; the number and proportion of appeals which were successful in each year; the number of such schools which were closed or amalgamated in 2012 and as projected for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30070/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

73 small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The affected schools were given the right of appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board in the event that they could show that their Projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teacher over the longer term. 63 of these schools submitted an appeal. 20 were refused, 43 were provisionally upheld of which 14 subsequently lost their posts as projected enrolment did not materialise.

55 small primary schools are due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2013 as a result of the budget measure. The allocation process for the 2013/14 school year is currently underway in my Department. Under the staffing appeals process small schools will not lose their classroom post if they are projecting sustainable increased enrolments in September 2013 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The final staffing position for all schools will not be known until later in the year when the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeal Board have been considered.

There were 8 primary school closures in 2012. In the case of all 8 schools the staffing was 2 teachers or less. There were 12 primary schools amalgamated in 2012 to become 6 primary schools. Of the 12 schools amalgamated 3 schools had a staffing of 4 teachers or less at the time of amalgamation.