Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support schools (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [21725/08]

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 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 schools each year.

Data submitted to the Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy indicates that the enrolment in the school on 30th September 2006 was 233 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule (Circular 0020/2007), which is available on my Department's website at 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 30th September 2007 was 231 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule (Circular 0010/2008), which is also available on my Department's website at 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 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 If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.

An independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing in primary schools. Details of the appeal procedure are outlined in the staffing schedule and also in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on the Department's website.

The first meeting of the Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in primary schools took place on 20 May, 2008 at which an appeal on behalf of the school in question was heard. I understand that the Appeal Board deferred a decision on the appeal application pending receipt of further information. When this process has been completed the Board of Management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal.

The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a proposal in relation to schools (details supplied). [21726/08]

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 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 schools each year.

Data submitted to the Department by the Boards of Management of the schools in question indicate that the enrolment in the school on 30th September 2007 had decreased from that of 30th September 2006. In accordance with the staffing Schedule (Circular 0010/2008), which is available on my Department's Website at www.education.ie, and a copy of which issued to all Primary Schools, the reduction in enrolment in all of these schools did not justify the retention of staffing at their current levels.

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.

An independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing in primary schools. Details of the appeal procedure are outlined in the staffing schedule and also in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on the Department's website.

The first meeting of the Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in primary schools took place on 20 May, 2008. Further meetings will take place in June and October 2008.

The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.