John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 685: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the directive she has issued in relation to the appointment of a concessionary teacher in a school (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact it will have up to 90 pupils in 2006 and 2007 and in 2005 and 2006 it had four teachers with an enrolment of 78 pupils; if she will give a firm commitment that a teacher will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27621/06]

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 the 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 annually to all primary schools. The relevant circular (0023/2006) issued to all schools in March 2006.

The enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy on 30th September 2005 was 78 pupils, which warrants a staffing of Principal plus 2 mainstream posts for the 2006/2007 school year. It is open to the Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was established to adjudicate on appeals on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. Details of the criteria and application dates for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule. They are also available in Circular 0024/2006 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools). Hard copies of this circular have been issued to all primary schools.

Appeals must be submitted to Primary Payments Section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The standard application form is available from Primary Payments Section or on the Department's website.

The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and the 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 operations of the Independent Appeal Board.