Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this issue. I can understand the concern raised with him by Scoil Mhuire. This is an historic situation. The allocation of teachers for next September, that is, September 2018, is based on the enrolment of September 2017. It is applied universally across all schools. The threshold needed to get an additional teacher is 113. As the Deputy probably knows, the present number is 111, which is just short.

The school made an appeal. The case was examined but since the school did not have the additional two pupils, it did not meet the normal requirement. The case was examined in light of the concept of particular pressure on the infant intake but the additional number of junior infants entering did not meet the threshold that is set, unfortunately. It did not meet the developing school test either. The appeals board, which is entirely independent of my Department, met and heard the case. Unless there is a change of circumstances, the case cannot be resubmitted.

On the positive side, if the numbers materialise in the coming September, then in September 2019 an additional teacher will be appointed and the school will meet the criteria. Twice I have reduced the pupil-teacher ratio. It means the enrolment requirement has come down by two pupils — or by one on each occasion I reduced it. Unfortunately, that still did not bring Scoil Mhuire across the boundary. I am not in a position to indicate otherwise to the Deputy, unless circumstances have changed from those that are already known. The appeal has been heard and was not successful. The school had an additional allocation in 2016-17 in respect of resource teachers. We have been consistently expanding the support for children with special educational needs. I regret to say I am not in a position to overrule the decision of the appeals board. These rules have to be applied uniformly. Every school across the country has to be treated fairly. The appeals board has its criteria and these are applied fairly in respect of every appeal that comes its way. I am sorry I do not have better news for the Deputy.

See this speech in context