Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Longford is enabled to retain their third teacher due to the circumstances outlined in the parents' association correspondence to her Department dated 9 June 2006; if she will accede to this request as the removal of the third teacher would increase the pupil/teacher ratio to 1:26, in view of the significant population increase now being projected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24853/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has received the letter referred to by the Deputy from the Parents Association in the school concerned. The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which was issued to all primary schools.

The enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy on 30th September 2005 was 44 pupils, which warrants a staffing of Principal plus 1 mainstream post for the 2006/2007 school year.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent Appeal Board is now in place to decide on any staffing appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 0024/2006.

The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2006/2007 school year was considered by the Appeal Board on 25th May, 2006. The Board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in Circular 0024/2006, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case.

The Board of Management of the school was notified in writing of the decision of the Appeal Board on 26th May, 2006.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operations of the Independent Appeal Board.