Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the details of the staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11489/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

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. This new measure is in recognition of the challenges faced by the teacher having to teach 6 class groups or more.

These arrangements will be effective from September 2017 and will be set out in the staffing schedule circular for the 2017/18 school year which will be available on my Department's website in the coming weeks.

The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 15 on 30^thSeptember 2015. This allows for a mainstream staffing of 1 teacher (Principal) for the current school year.