Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 237: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the junior infants class starting in September 2005 in a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will comprise 34 pupils; if this is a temporary arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18755/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a principal and nine mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 235 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support post. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and nine mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 252 pupils at 30 September 2004.

The schedule referred to above can only be deviated from when a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. Rapid growth is defined as an increase in its enrolment in one year relative to the previous year of 25 pupils plus a stipulated excess of five pupils on the appointment figure. If the board of management of the school feel that the enrolment of the school will increase by this amount, they may apply for a post under the developing schools criteria as outlined in Department circular 15/05.

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 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. 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.