Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the classroom circumstances of Gaeltacht primary schools, she will concede the same appointment thresholds for additional teachers as apply in Gaelscoileanna; and if the appointment of an additional teacher will be sanctioned at a Gaeltacht school (details supplied) in County Cork for September 2005. [5865/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under present arrangements, the appointment requirement for mainstream class teachers in Gaelscoileanna operates to a lower ratio up to the appointment of 13 teachers, relative to other primary schools, including those located in the Gaeltacht.

I am aware of the unique position of primary schools situated in Gaeltacht areas and of the particular problems that they experience as a result of losing teaching posts. In this context, since the start of the 1999-2000 school year, the staffing schedule for the retention of posts in Gaelscoileanna has applied to Gaeltacht schools.

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. 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 of management in the near future.

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 appeal 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.