Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 672: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the reported loss of a teacher at a school (details suppled) in Dublin 13 due to the implementation of an unfair pupil/teacher ratio and ongoing failure to reduce the PTR to EU norms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27177/08]

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 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 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 If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.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 (Circular 0010/2008) and also in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on my 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 St Peter and Paul's National School was heard. The Board sought additional information in relation to the appeal of the school.

The Board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in Circular 0024/2007 and the additional information requested, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case.

The Board of Management of the school was notified in writing of the decision of the Appeal Board on 26 June 2008.

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

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 673: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the reported loss of a teacher at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 due to the implementation of an unfair pupil/teacher ratio and ongoing failure to reduce the PTR to EU norms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27178/08]

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 my Department by the Board of Management of the school indicates that the enrolment in the school on 30th September 2006 was 121 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 4 mainstream class teachers.

According to data submitted by the Board of Management the enrolment in the school on 30th September 2007 was 113 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 3 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.

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. The criteria are also available in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on my Department's website.

The staffing of the school for the 2008/2009 school year was considered by the Appeal Board on 20 May 2008. The Board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in Circular 0024/2007, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case.

The Board of Management of the school was notified in writing of the decision of the Appeal Board on 26 May 2008.

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