Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools in County Kerry that lost mainstream teachers for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62914/21]

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 have been 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 was introduced for September 2021.  These measures helped to ensure that fewer pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher. 

In the 2021/22 school year, fewer than 5 primary schools in Co. Kerry had their mainstream staffing reduced by 1 teaching post as a result of falling enrolments.