Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Galway will be losing a teacher from the beginning of September 2005; if, in view of the fact that it will be difficult for the remaining teacher and principal to manage all classes, she will reconsider the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17576/05]

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 the 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.

In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal and one mainstream class teaching post. This is based on an enrolment of 12 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support teacher. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal teacher. This is based on an enrolment of 11 pupils at 30 September 2004.

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

The closing dates for appeals are 3 June, 24 June and 7 October. Appeals must be submitted to the 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. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.