Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a submission from the board of management and the parents' association of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow requesting that the school not lose a teacher for 2005-06; if she will grant this request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19775/05]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 780: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the retention of the current number of teachers for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19873/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 780 together.

I am aware of the submission of the parents' association of the school referred to by the Deputies and of the board of management's appeal in respect of the loss of a mainstream teaching post.

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year, and by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule is outlined in primary Circular 15/05, which issued to all primary schools recently.

In the current school year the mainstream staffing of the school in question consists of a principal and 17 class teachers. This is based on an enrolment of 494 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has two learning support teachers, one special class teacher, three resource teachers, one home school community liaison teacher and one resource teacher for Travellers.

The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal teacher and 16 class teachers. This is based on an enrolment of 468 pupils at 30 September 2004. The board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy has appealed the loss of a mainstream staffing post for the 2005-06 school year.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system, such appeals are considered by an independent primary staffing appeals board. The board will meet on the 14 June 2005. This school's appeal will be considered at that meeting and the decision of the appeals board will be conveyed to the board of management of the school shortly thereafter.

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.