Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the contents of correspondence from the staff of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if her attention has further been drawn to the severe difficulties caused as a result of this new school using two separate buildings which are separated by a dual carriageway and the consequent serious danger caused to students and staff; if she will sanction additional staff resources under these circumstances so that order can be restored. [26810/05]

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 timetable 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 which 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. An appeal was submitted by the school and the independent appeals committee decided that no further allocation was warranted.

The total teaching staff allocation to the school for the 2005-06 school year is 67.48 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 11.71:1.

My Department has recently received correspondence from the school authority in question concerning the issues referred to by the Deputy. This further correspondence has been referred to the independent appeals committee. My Department will contact the school shortly with the outcome.