Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to extend the reduction of teacher to pupil-ratio numbers in primary urban DEIS band 1 schools to include both primary rural DEIS schools and primary urban DEIS band 2 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13753/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Budget 2021 provided for a one point improvement to the staffing schedule for September 2021 and introduces new retention levels for all schools.

I have also recently announced a further package of measures, including improved staffing and additional funding for the school completion programme to tackle educational disadvantage in DEIS schools and to assist those students with the highest levels of need to help them reach their potential.

The newly revised staffing schedule for the 2021/22 school year will be published shortly and it is at that stage that schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming September.