Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review and increase the staff allocation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 in view of the fact that many pupils at the school are in classes of 30 plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37328/08]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review and increase the staff allocation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in view of the fact that many pupils at the school are in classes of 30 plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/08]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review and increase the staff allocation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 in view of the fact that many pupils at the school are in classes of 30 plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 542, inclusive, together.

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. The schedule for the current school year is set out in circular 10/08 which issued in March, 2008 to all primary school Boards of Management and is also available on my Department's website.

Posts allocated on the basis of the staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account. In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.

It is open to a 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.

I understand that the staffing for the 2008/2009 school year of the schools referred to by the Deputy was considered by the Appeal Board on 20 May 2008. The Board, having considered the appeals with regard to the criteria outlined in Circular 0024/2007, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule was not warranted in these cases. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.