Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

586. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which she has received submissions from the various primary school authorities with specific reference to achieving an equality on the provisions whereby an increase over the present level or maintenance of the present level of teaching numbers may be achieved, with particular reference to smaller rural schools, some of which find themselves disadvantaged by the current system; if her Department has received specific recommendations in this regard from the Irish National Teachers Organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26409/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website. The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools. These improvements particularly recognise the challenges faced by very small schools that are more than 8 km from the next nearest school of the same type. These improvements in the Staffing Schedule for small schools are the only changes that I am making to the staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year.

Since becoming Minister, each of the education partners that I have met have indicated their own set of priorities. In the school sector these priorities include school leadership, pay restoration, reductions in pupil-teacher ratios, increases to capitation, and the restoration of ex-quota guidance counsellors in schools. Outside of the schools sector, the list of demands includes funding of third level, investment in early years and investment in technology. It is not, and never will be, possible to satisfy all of the demands of the education system at one time. Hence the need to identify priorities for consideration as part of future budgets and as our economy recovers.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

587. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine anomalies which currently exist in respect of rules to maintain the existing teacher numbers or to increase the number of teachers on foot of enrolments in a number of rural schools, some of which find themselves at a disadvantage in their efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26410/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website. The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools. These improvements particularly recognise the challenges faced by very small schools that are more than 8 km from the next nearest school of the same type.

This package of measures will provide rural communities with security about the future of their small schools, recognising the essential social function which small schools can play, especially in isolated communities. These improvements in the Staffing Schedule for small schools are the only changes that I am making to the staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year.