Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the pupil-teacher ratio will be reviewed and decreased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35318/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address concerns that children are at a disadvantage where one teacher has to teach four classes due to the pupil-teacher ratio being too high for rural schools in Counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35319/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers are leaving national schools due to the pupil-teacher ratio which in some schools has one teacher teaching four classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35320/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

Improvements to the staffing of schools with four teachers and less were announced for the 2015/16 school year. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for one-teacher schools situated 8 km or more from the nearest school of the same type of patronage and/or language of instruction.

In addition, Budget 2016 announced a 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule. The improved staffing schedule has been implemented for the 2016/17 school year and applies to small schools at both appointment and retention levels.

Following a review of the staffing allocation for Small Primary Schools, Budget 2017 announced two adjustments in relation to one teacher schools. Where the school is the sole primary school on an island the school will be able to appoint a second teacher.  In relation to single teacher schools generally with an enrolment of 15 or more pupils, the school can apply to the staffing appeals board for a second post where the single teacher has pupils across 6 or more class groups.  The detailed arrangements will be set out in the staffing schedule circular for the 2017/18 school year and this circular will be available on my Department's website in mid-January.