Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 662: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the inordinately high pupil-teacher ratio obtaining in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; the action she will take to remedy this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22007/05]

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 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 comprises of principal and 14 mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 386 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has a learning support post and resource post. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will remain at a principal and 14 mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 384 pupils at 30 September 2004.

The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. 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. School authorities should ensure there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.

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 met on 14 June and will meet again in July and October to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year. The closing dates for appeals for the forthcoming July and October meetings are 24 June and 7 October 2005, respectively. 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. The application form is available from the primary payments section or on my Department's website. 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.