Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional secondary school teachers hired as part of package for reopening schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23017/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Roadmap for Full Return to School set outs the plan for reopening of our schools and what the operation of our schools will look like and how it will be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.

As part of the package of supports, at post-primary level, 1080 additional teachers are being allocated to help reduce class sizes and also for additional Guidance Provision. A teacher allocation equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.6 has been allocated to schools in the free scheme to help reduce class sizes. This allocation supports the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary. The equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.1 has been provided in respect of Guidance provision to support student wellbeing. It is recognised that, notwithstanding these measures to post primary schools, challenges may remain to allow some post primary schools to fully and safely reopen. A teacher allocation, through an appeal process, is available to support these schools.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for providing a release day each week for teaching principals at primary level to carry out administrative work is permanent; the number of schools that have benefited; the estimated ongoing cost of maintaining same beyond the 2020/2021 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23018/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Roadmap for the Full Return to School provides for comprehensive supports across a range of areas to allow for the safe reopening of schools.

€10.2m in additional funding has been allocated to support Principals and Deputy Principals who also undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding will provide each teaching principal with one release day per week, and release days for Deputy Principals in those schools that have an existing administrative principal. Details on these arrangements are set out in Circular 45/2020, Operational Supports for Primary Schools for the Full Return to School.

More than 1700 schools with teaching principals have benefitted from the increase in release days. The annual cost of one release day per week to each school with a teaching principal is in the region of €16.6 million.