Teacher staffing changes to hit small schools

The Department of Education is increasing the number of pupils that small schools must have to keep or gain a second, third or fourth teacher from next September.

Each year, school classroom teacher allocations are based on enrolments the previous autumn.

The changes to staffing schedules for small schools are estimated to result in the loss of a teacher to about 100 schools next September, saving the department about €1.5m this year. By 2014, the number of teaching posts saved will rise to about 250, or equivalent to a cost saving of €15m a year.