Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 741: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the decision to reduce teacher numbers by one teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19463/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 762: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, given that a school (details supplied) has an enrolment for 2005-06 to retain its current complement of staff no teacher will be lost from the school due to its 2004 enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19697/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 765: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Galway will not lose a teacher; if flexibility regarding disadvantaged status will be shown to the school; if a concessionary teacher scheme will be employed at the principal's discretion; and if the school will be given the maximum support and assistance. [19783/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 779: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the huge damage that will be done if a school (details supplied) in County Galway is denied one of its four teachers due to a very temporary reduction in enrolment figures for September 2004; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the projected enrolment figures for September 2005 will result in this school returning to a six-teacher school and that this reduction will put intolerable pressure on the existing teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19860/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 741, 762, 765 and 779 together.

The mainstream 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 three mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 85 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support post based in the school and a full time resource post. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 76 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. The board of management of the school has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at a meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.

The school to which the Deputies refer is included in the rural dimension of my Department's giving children an even break programme aimed at combating educational disadvantage. The school has the services of a rural co-ordinator and additional financial resources to provide educational supports to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils. The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — which I launched recently, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon, a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year- and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.

A key element of this new action plan is the better identification of levels of disadvantage in our schools, which will result in improved targeting of resources at those most in need. The first stage of the identification process, which is being conducted on behalf of my Department by the Educational Research Centre, is already underway. Questionnaires issued to all mainstream primary schools and were due to be returned to the ERC by 31 May 2005. The identification process is being supported by an advisory group which includes representation from the INTO and the Irish Primary Principals' Network.

Approximately 600 primary schools comprising 300 urban and town, and 300 rural schools, and 150 post primary schools will be included in the school support programme. Existing schemes and programmes will be integrated into the school support programme on a phased basis over the implementation period.