Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure the retention of the fifth mainstream teacher in a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon in view of the fact that the school is part of the breaking the cycle and DEIS schemes run by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21040/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school for a particular school year 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 139 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 four 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 0024/06. The Board of Management of the school 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 Tuesday 11 July 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.