Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if confirmation of the recommendation by a taskforce in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of Gaeltacht schools will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13130/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. 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.

There is no change to the staffing of the schools concerned for the 2020/21 school year.

The unique challenges facing Gaeltacht schools and their importance in the maintenance of Irish as the main language of Gaeltacht communities is recognised. To support the delivery of high quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools, the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was launched in 2017 as part of the overall implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. Under the terms of the Scheme, a package of additional targeted supports is being provided to these schools from September 2018 to support the delivery of high-quality Irish-medium education. These additional supports include: 

- access to an annual grant of €1200 grant for the purchase of Irish-medium teaching resources

- additional Irish-language support teaching hours based on school enrolment

- additional continuing professional development for teachers, delivered by COGG

- additional Inspectorate support via advisory visits to support schools in meeting their targets in the implementation of Irish-language-based criteria.

Schools in the Scheme have also been permitted to form clusters to create temporary full-time posts by combining part-time Irish language support hours. From 2019 schools in the Scheme had the option to combine part-time Irish language support hours with special education teaching hours to create temporary full-time posts, provided that teachers selected had a high level of proficiency in the Irish language and an understanding of immersion education, so that they could fulfill the roles, as appropriate.