Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1003. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the list of primary schools including the names and locations of each school in County Kerry that as it stands is due to lose a mainstream teacher for the 2021-2022 academic year; if she will intervene to prevent any such losses in the context of Covid-19 and the obvious difficulties that such losses would present to teacher and student safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40420/21]

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 30th September.

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 which is a historical low ratio. In addition, 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 also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria. The final staffing position will be confirmed in October once the staffing appeals process has been completed. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Schools that may see an increase in their pupil enrolment for 2021/22 in September can submit an appeal to the October meeting of the Appeals Board with the updated enrolment.

The Department does not disclose staffing information pertaining to an individual school.