Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a school (details supplied) in County Laois which is in danger of losing a fourth teacher due to a shortfall of one pupil; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that projected attendance for this school for the 2007 school year and beyond shows numbers to well exceed the quota; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that should this school return to being overcrowded many children will fall behind in basic skills due to lack of attention and motivation; if, in the interest of the pupils and teachers of this school, she will reconsider her decision to cut one teacher, for one critical year, based on such a minuscule shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19463/06]

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 30th 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. The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2006/2007 school year will consist of a Principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 80 pupils at 30th September 2005.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent Appeal 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 0024/2006. The Board of Management of the school has submitted an appeal to the Staffing Appeal Board. The appeal will be considered by the Board at its meeting which is scheduled to take place on the 25th May 2006. 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. 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.