Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the case of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [5435/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.

The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum.

The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and three mainstream class teachers, based on the enrolment of 107 pupils on 30 September 2003. The school also has a resource post and the services of two shared learning support posts.

According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 110 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards in February or March 2005.

As outlined in primary circular 19/02, an independent appeals board was established to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on the staffing allocations in primary schools. The appeals board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final. Appeals in respect of staffing for the 2005-06 school year must be submitted to primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made.