Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will sanction the retention of a second teacher in a school (details supplied) in County Clare given that this school is just one pupil short of the required quota and assuming common sense would prevail here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17759/21]

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.

For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. A three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including a specific appeal measure for small schools, to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department.

The staffing schedule for the 2021/22 school year, including the appeals process, is available on the Department website.