Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the commitment will be reaffirmed not to reduce teacher numbers in schools for the lifetime of schools (details supplied); the number of teachers that will be provided in each school in the cluster for the forthcoming academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32179/20]

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 staffing schedule for primary schools for the 2020/21 school year is currently at its lowest ever level with 1 teacher to 26 pupils. 

I was delighted to announce a further 1 point reduction in Budget 2021.  The staffing schedule for the 2021/22 academic year now stands at 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.   

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. A package of additional targeted supports has been provided to schools in the Scheme since September 2018 including:

- 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 are permitted to form clusters to create temporary full-time posts by combining part-time Irish language support hours. Since 2019, schools in the Scheme have  also had the option to combine part-time Irish language support hours with special education teaching hours to create temporary full-time posts, provided that the teachers selected had a high level of proficiency in the Irish language and an understanding of immersion education, so that they could fulfil the roles, as appropriate. The terms of the operation of the Scheme are set out annually in Circulars which are published on the Department’s website and disseminated to schools located in Gaeltacht language-planning areas. The most recent Circular relating to the operation of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme in primary schools located in Gaeltacht areas during the 2020/21 school year is Circular 0010/2020. The operation of the Scheme in schools must also take place in accordance with the provisions of Department advice and circulars relating to COVID-19.