Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the appeal by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, in connection with the change in the staffing schedule from September 2009, and the impact it has on the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9304/09]

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.

I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy has applied for the appointment of a mainstream teacher on developing grounds for the coming school year and that provisional sanction will issue to the school on that basis.