Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I wish to raise the proposed loss of a second mainstream teacher in Carramore national school in Killasser, Swinford, County Mayo. While I accept there were 45 students on the roll last September, the projected number for the next three years is 50 plus. It is extremely difficult to understand why there are three teachers teaching 45 pupils this year but it is expected that only two teachers will teach 50 plus pupils next year. That seems to be planning backwards not forwards. In recent weeks two new families have moved to the area and enrolled their children in the school, so there are now 50 plus students in the school. As a result, I ask the Minister to grant the school a hearing so that it will not lose its second mainstream teacher.

This is a small school in a rural area. If the number of teachers is reduced from three to two, it will have a huge impact on the quality of education for the children and on the morale of the school and the teachers. I could understand it if the trend was downwards but it is upwards. There was a slight dip last September but that has changed. As I said, there are now 50 plus students on the roll. There are real grounds for appeal.

We hear much about rural regeneration and development etc., but if basic services such as primary education are hit, especially when the trend is upwards, I do not see what chance there is for a school in a rural area. Many new houses are being built in the area and that means there will be more pupils in the school. The system must respond to current and future enrolment figures in the school rather than to past figures.

As well as the prospect of losing the teacher, the school has been told that a prefab, which came with the third teacher and which is very badly needed, will have to go. It has been told it will be entitled to get it back the following year when the third teacher is restored. This causes severe disruption.

Conditions in the school are poor. There are no outside facilities for play — it has a very small yard. It has been turned down for funding from the Department to renovate a playing field. The facilities are poor enough but if the prefab and the third teacher are taken away, I agree with the parents that it will be an injustice to the children who deserve better.

The possibility of a school such as this gaining the status of a developing school whereby it increases its enrolment by 25 or more pupils is not relevant because it is a small school in a rural area. To apply such rules to schools such as this does not make sense. The idea that one size fits all discriminates against small schools, particularly small schools in rural areas. I ask the Minister of State to consider the appeal regarding the proposed loss of the second mainstream teacher.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Harkin for affording me the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science to outline the position regarding Carramore national school, Swinford, County Mayo, concerning temporary accommodation and staffing at the school.

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September in the previous year. The number of mainstream posts is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular school year following discussions between the Department and the education partners. The staffing schedule is set out in a circular which issues from the Department to all primary school boards of management. Accordingly, all boards are aware of the staffing position for their school in any particular school year. The schedule for the coming year issued in May 2005.

In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 50 pupils at 30 September 2003. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and one mainstream class teaching post. This is based on an enrolment of 45 pupils at 30 September 2004.

To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The staffing of this school for the 2005-06 school year was considered by the appeal board on 14 June 2005. The board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in the Department circular 19/02, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule was not warranted in this case.

The board of management of the school was notified in writing of the decision of the appeal board on 15 June 2005. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate it would not be appropriate for the Minister for Education and Science to intervene in the operations of the independent appeal board.

The school referred to by the Deputy has made a request to retain the temporary accommodation which is in use by the third teacher. The school planning section of my Department is considering the school's proposal and officials will be in contact with the board of management on the matter in due course. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.