Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views in relation to a submission (details supplied); if the appeal as stated has been dealt with; if not, when this will occur; when the staffing query as stated will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8151/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The staffing schedule for the 2009/2010 school year, Primary Circular 0002/2009, has been published on my Department's website at www.education.ie and my officials have written to all schools to notify them in this regard. The number of mainstream class teachers appropriate to a school for 2009/10 school year is determined by reference to the school's valid enrolment on 30 September, 2008. The schedule is a transparent and clear way of ensuring that schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand.

The staffing schedule also makes provision for schools that are projecting significantly increased enrolments for September 2009 through the allocation of what are known as "developing posts". These classroom teaching posts are allocated to schools based on projected enrolments for September 2009 rather than on past enrolments for September 2008 which is the case for most schools. This allocation process for developing posts takes places during the Spring and Summer period when schools apply to the Department based on their projected enrolments for September 2009. The developing posts are allocated on a provisional basis initially and are confirmed following receipt from the school of actual enrolments in September 2009.

The school which the Deputy has referred to are projecting an enrolment of 188 pupils for 1 September 2009 which is in excess of the required 179 pupils necessary for the appointment of a sixth mainstream teacher on developing grounds for the coming school year. My officials have been in touch with the school in this regard and I understand that provisional sanction for a developing post will issue to the school.