Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the difficulties which have arisen in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 due to the recent rushed and ill-thought out amalgamation, and in further view of the negative impact which the difficulties are having on students and staff, she will accede to the request for additional interim resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23368/06]

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 time-table 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.

The school in question applied for curricular concessions amounting to 6.6 whole time equivalent posts for the 2006/07 school year. My Department granted 6.33 whole time equivalent teaching posts and advised the school that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal to the independent Appeals Committee. The school subsequently appealed this decision. However, the Appeals Committee decided that no further teaching allocation was warranted for the 2006/07 school year. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final. The total teaching staff allocation to the school for the 2006/07 school year is 65.14 wholetime equivalent teacher posts including an allocation of 5.84 wholetime equivalent teacher posts to cater for its pupils with special educational needs. Based on an enrolment of 781 pupils, this level of allocation leaves the school with an actual pupil teacher ratio of 11.98:1.