Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of post-primary teachers who are in promotional posts; the breakdown of those percentages according to age-bracket, gender and type of school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19932/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled at present. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that from the 1 September 2006 a school (details supplied) in County Galway will lose a teacher despite the fact that on that day, this school will begin usage of their four newly constructed classrooms and that it will be reduced to a three teacher school; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the pupil intake at the school this year indicates that a teacher will be made available again in September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19973/06]

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 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.

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 30th September 2005 was 76 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 2 Mainstream Class Teachers.

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 24/06.

The Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy, 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 on Thursday 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.