Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 818: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties being experienced by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 as a result of drastic reductions in staff numbers following a recent amalgamation; if she will respond to requests from the school for additional resources in order to cope with the particular problems which have arisen due to the amalgamation; if arrangements will be made for senior staff from her Department to meet with representatives of the school in order that these difficulties can be addressed at an early stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11105/06]

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 who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.

In the 2005-06 school year, the school in question applied for a concessionary allocation and was allocated 7.22 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation on 10 May 2005 and was advised that, in the event of it 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 to award an additional .82 whole-time equivalent teaching posts. The total teaching staff allocation to the school for the 2005-06 school year is 68.10 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. Based on a enrolment of 790 pupils, this level of allocation leaves the school with an actual pupil teacher ratio of 11.6:1.

The closing date for applications for additional short-term support for the 2006-07 school year was 3 March 2006. My Department received an application for concessionary hours from the school in question on 16 March 2006 for a total of 156.40 hours for the 2006-07 school year. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities regarding this application shortly.