John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 881: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will expedite a response to an application made by a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to the primary staffing appeals board relative to the retention of the schools fourth mainstream teacher in view of the social difficulties being experienced by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14989/06]

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. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year.

According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy, the enrolment in the school on 30 September 2005 was 80 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule, circular 0023/2006, which has issued to all primary schools and is also available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, the mainstream staffing in the school for the 2006-07 school year will be a principal and two mainstream class teachers.

The board of management of the school concerned has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeal board. The appeal will be considered by the appeal board at a meeting which is scheduled to take place in May. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. The appeal board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board.