John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a decision to cut the teacher numbers by one at a national school (details supplied) in County Sligo is deferred; if he will ensure that the current teacher numbers are maintained at the school in view of the fact that with 233 pupils enrolled for September 2008 the school will be entitled to re-appoint a teacher in September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20803/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 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 schools each year. Data submitted to my Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy indicates that the enrolment in the school on 30 September 2006 was 233 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule (Circular 0020/2007), which is available on my Department's website, www.education.ie, the mainstream staffing in the school for the 2007-08 school year is a Principal and 9 mainstream class teachers. According to data submitted by the Board of Management of the school, the enrolment in the school on 30 September 2007 was 229 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule (Circular 0010/2008), which is also available on my Department's website, www.education.ie, and a hard copy of which has been issued to all primary schools, the mainstream staffing in the school for the 2008-09 school year will be a Principal and 8 mainstream class teachers.

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 30 September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30 September, sanction for the post is withdrawn. 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 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) on my Department's website. The school referred to by the Deputy lodged an appeal with the Primary Staffing Appeal Board. The appeal was heard at the Appeal Board meeting on 20 May 2008 and was unsuccessful. The Board of Management of the school was notified in writing of the decision of the Appeal Board on 22 May 2008. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.