Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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362. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department's circular 0017/2017 concerning appointment of additional teachers in primary schools has any element of flexibility or appeal mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13736/17]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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363. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if schools in which enrolment will increase in September 2017 but not by an additional 25 students compared to 2016 will be eligible to appoint an additional teacher; if he has considered the fact that the implication for the intake of schools at infant level will be greater than his Department's recommended class size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13737/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 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.

Staffing arrangements for the 2017/18 school year are set out in circular 0017/2017 which is available on my Departments website.

The staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.

The deployment of classroom teachers to individual classes is dealt with at individual school level. With over 21,100 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. The Department's guidance to schools is to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). Schools are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.

Given that the staffing schedule operates to a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils, if a school has a large class it generally also has a small class.