Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if sanction will be given for the appointment of a temporary teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16773/05]

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 which is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.

The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and eight mainstream class teachers, based on the enrolment of 236 pupils on 30 September 2003.

The enrolment in the school on 30 September 2004 was 235 pupils. Based on this enrolment, the mainstream staffing for the school year 2005-06 will remain at a principal and eight mainstream class teachers.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any staffing appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 19/02 which is available on my Department's website. The appeals board will meet in June to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year.

The closing date for appeals is 3 June 2005. Appeals 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. The application form is available from primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone or on my Department's website.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.