Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools, both primary and post-primary, in County Clare which have applied in 2008 for an additional teacher; if these appointments will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10876/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has plans to reduce the number of teachers currently employed in primary and post-primary schools in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10877/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 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 to all primary school Boards of Management each year. Accordingly, all Boards are aware of the staffing position for their school in any school year. The staffing schedule for the 2008/2009 school year (Circular 0010/2008) was recently published on my Department's website at www.education.ie and a hard copy is in the process of issue to all primary schools.

Within the terms of the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn. Application for such posts can be made to my Department on or before 10 October, 2008.

An independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing in primary schools. Details of the criteria and application dates for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule. The criteria for appeal are also set out in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on my Department's website. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Teacher allocations for second level schools are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules relating to recognised pupil enrolment. In general a ratio of 18:1 is applied in respect of recognised pupils on established Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, repeat Leaving Certificate and Transition Year Programmes and a ratio of 16:1 is applied in respect of recognised pupils on the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, Post leaving Cert courses and Leaving Cert Applied.

Each second level school management authority is required to organise its curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating second level teaching posts provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet essential curricular commitments, my Department will consider applications for additional short term support. An independent Appeals Committee is available to second level school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.