Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects the national redeployment scheme, which was agreed as part of the national agreement Towards 2016, to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the modernisation agenda for teachers under the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 it was agreed to address the issue of redeployment of surplus teachers. Discussions on the arrangements that would apply in the case of second level schools commenced under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council in March 2007. It was initially agreed that the discussions would take place in a sequenced manner and that the first issue to be discussed was the arrangements that would apply in the case of school closures. Those arrangements were agreed and have been implemented with effect from the end of the 2006/2007 school year.

Discussions have now focused on agreeing arrangements that will apply in the case of teachers that become surplus in situations other than school closure such as changing enrolments or changed course or subject provision at individual school level. The arrangements when agreed will be implemented in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of the Towards 2016 Agreement. In the case of primary schools the existing redeployment arrangements which were updated in May 2005 are currently under review.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 25 September 2008, if he will meet a delegation comprising the four Clare Members of the Oireachtas, school representatives and representatives of the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Clare at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33118/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of teaching resources to second level schools has operated on the basis of a well established allocation process based on transparent allocation rules, with an independent appellate process available to schools. In the interest of fairness and consistency for all schools it has been established practice that schools deal with Department officials and the Independent Appeals Committee in relation to the allocation of teaching resources rather than have one or more schools seeking direct access to the Minister to plead a special case. I am concerned that if I were to meet directly with this school or with members of the Oireachtas that I would in effect be prejudicing the future effectiveness of the independent appellate process.

The school authorities recently requested a meeting with Department officials and this meeting has been scheduled for next Monday. I believe this is a more appropriate approach and will provide the school authorities with an opportunity to clarify how they propose to plan future subject provision at the school.