Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 706: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received correspondence from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; her views on the correspondence; the steps she will take to review class size cut-off points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28710/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. The staffing schedule is outlined in a circular issued annually to all primary schools. 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.

To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent primary staffing appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year was considered by the appeal board on 14 June 2005 and was rejected. I understand that the board of management of the school was notified of the appeal board's decision on 15 June 2005. The decision of the appeal board is final. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board.

The school made an application for capital funding towards the provision of additional ancillary accommodation. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09. The school also made an application for additional accommodation under the additional accommodation scheme 2006. The school planning section of my Department is considering all applications made under this scheme.