Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for that information. The information I was given as late as this afternoon was that the enrolment on 30 September 2005 was 45 pupils, which warrants a staffing for the 2006-07 school year of a principal and one mainstream teacher. The school is also the base school for the services of a learning support-resource teacher shared with one other school.

To ensure openness in the teacher allocation system at primary level, an independent primary staffing appeal board is in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The staffing of the school in question for the 2006-07 school year was considered by the appeal board on 25 May 2006. The board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in the Department circular 24/2006, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule was not warranted in this case. The board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeal board on 26 May 2006. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for the Minister to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board. I thank him for raising this matter.

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