Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the staffing arrangements that will apply in a proposed amalgamated school (details supplied) in Dublin; the number of pupils who will be attending from September 2005; the number of teachers approved; the effective pupil-teacher ratio which will apply; the number of job losses which the amalgamation will entail and the options available to staff who wish to resign or retire. [17825/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.

The school in question applied for a curricular concession allocation and was allocated 7.22 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation on 10 May 2005 and advised that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing to the independent appeals committee. To date, the school has not availed of the independent appeals mechanism.

The total teaching staff allocation to the school for the 2005-06 school year is 61.32 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. Based on a projected enrolment of 790 pupils, this level of allocation leaves the school with an actual pupil teacher ratio of 12.88:1. Additional resources to cater for the needs of Traveller and non-national pupils will be considered by my Department upon application by the school authority. It is also open to the school authority to apply to the National Council for Special Education for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support to cater for the special educational needs of pupils enrolled.

Regarding teaching staff who wish to retire, a range of options, including the early retirement scheme for teachers and cost neutral early retirement, is available. My Department has received a number of applications for early retirement from teachers in the school concerned and is currently awaiting further information from the school authority on these applications. Full details of retirement options are available by contacting my Department's pensions unit.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the allocation of additional resources to a school (details supplied) was calculated at 1:1.50 and another school in the same area and a short distance away had its allocation calculated at 1:1.80; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17851/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy received a teaching allocation based on its status as a mixed school, that is, the first post is allocated at 145:1. Schools whose allocations are based on 80:1 are those disadvantaged schools eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme.

My Department has now issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their general teaching allocation and their clustering arrangements, if appropriate. The allocation for the school referred to by the Deputy is 1.41 posts. The school has also received a transitional allocation of 0.6 of a post.

My Department is finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.