Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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985. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case of a school (details supplied) that is scheduled to have the teaching staff reduced from four to three based on current retention numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18937/21]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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991. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will sanction the retention of a fourth teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19011/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 985, 991 and 1019 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.

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 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 Primary Staffing Appeals Board will consider staffing appeals at the end of the month and schools will be notified of the outcome of their appeal in early May.