Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 9 September 2020, her previous response in regard to the loss of teachers this year following the retention assessment and further to the announcement in the budget that there will be a three point reduction in the retention schedule, if she will fast-track the process for the school in this current school year considering their unacceptable loss of teachers and with full regard to the pressures the current pandemic is placing on schools in this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31803/20]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 218 of 13 May 2020 and 155 of 9 September 2020 and the loss of teachers in 2020 following the retention assessment and further to the announcement in Budget 2021 that there will be a three point reduction in the retention schedule, if she will fast-track the process for a school (details supplied) in this current school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32077/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 147 together.

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.

The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful in its appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. Budget 2021 builds on this progress by implementing a further 1 point reduction for the 2021/22 school year. The staffing schedule for the 2021/22 school year, which stands at an average of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils, will be published early next year.