Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1424: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the national schools which appealed their mainstream staffing levels for the 2006/2007 school year; the criteria under which they appealed; and the outcome of their appeal. [29983/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the tables.

The Primary Staffing Appeal Board have met on two occasions so far for the 2006-2007 school year, on 25th May 2006 and 11th July 2006. The third and final meeting of the Board for the 2006-2007 school year will take place on the 26th October 2006.

The provisions of the staffing schedule as published in Primary Circular 0023/2006 shall apply unless the Appeal Board determines that a departure is warranted. The Appeal Board may only determine that a departure is warranted in the circumstances outlined below.

Where a departure from the staffing schedule is warranted to meet exceptional accommodation difficulties such as schools operating on a split site for a period following amalgamation or prior to the provision of a permanent building. (Criterion 1)

Where the Board is satisfied on the basis of verifiable evidence that the required pupil numbers were enrolled in September or October, but, due to circumstances outside the control of the school, were not enrolled on the 30th September. However, for staffing purposes, a pupil can be included in the enrolment of only one school in any school year. (Criterion 2)

Where the Board considers that, in relation to the granting of a post under the developing school criterion, the projected pupil numbers required to retain the post were enrolled or are likely to be enrolled by December, but due to circumstances outside the control of the school, were not enrolled as expected on 30 September of the new school year. (Criterion 3)

A post allocated by the Board under this criterion will be sanctioned on a provisional basis subject to confirmation of the required enrolment being achieved by December of the new school year. For staffing purposes, a pupil can be included in the enrolment of only one school in any school year.

The above provisions are outlined in Circular 0024/2006 which issued to all primary schools.