Written answers
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Department of Education and Skills
DEIS Scheme
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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721. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the recent announcement in budget 2021 in relation to the reduction in class sizes relates to DEIS band 1 senior schools only; if this decision ignores DEIS band one junior and vertical schools; if all disadvantaged schools will receive this reduction; if her attention has been drawn to the strong evidence that exists to support smaller class sizes for younger children and those suffering disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32517/20]
Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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730. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide clarification on the planned investment of €5 million in DEIS schools; the rationale for limiting planned class reductions to DEIS band 1 senior schools only; if she will provide additional resources, including staffing resources to all DEIS band one schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32693/20]
Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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742. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the class size reduction announced in budget 2021 will not apply to DEIS band 1 junior and vertical schools; the way in which the planned investment of €5 million in DEIS schools will be allocated; if she will provide additional resources including staffing to all DEIS band 1 schools as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32771/20]
Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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813. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if planned class size reductions to DEIS band 1 senior schools can be extended to DEIS band 1 junior and vertical schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33593/20]
Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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814. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional resources including staffing will be allocated to DEIS band 1 schools at junior, vertical and senior levels as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33594/20]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 721, 730, 742, 813 and 814 together.
Under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.
As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1.
The total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need and I intend to engage with the relevant stakeholders as to how best to achieve this.
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