John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the school year which will be used in determining teacher numbers in a school (details supplied) in County Sligo from September 2009; if the decision will be based on September 2007 enrolment figures or September 2008 enrolment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46160/08]

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 staffing allocation for the academic year 2009/10 will therefore be based on the enrolment figures as of 30 September 2008.

The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. This process, which includes notification to all primary schools will commence early in the New Year. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. At primary level the final allocation to a school is also a function of the operation of the redeployment panels which provide for the retention of a teacher in an existing school if a new post is not available within the agreed terms of the scheme.

An important consideration in relation to the staffing allocations for schools is that schools should be treated in an equitable manner. The staffing schedule operates in a manner that treats schools in like circumstances equally. I have a responsibility to ensure that whatever the overall level of allocation the system for allocating teachers to schools is transparent and fair where everyone knows where they stand and each school knows that it is getting the same number of mainstream class teachers as the school up the road with similar enrolment.