Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the allocation of part-time pro-rate teachers to a school (details supplied) in County Cork for 2009 and for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/09]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the teacher allocation for a school (details supplied) in County Cork for 2009 and for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16635/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.

Teacher allocations to all VEC schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each VEC is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the VEC's. The initial staffing schedule for the 2009/2010 school year issued to City of Cork VEC on 11th February 2009.

In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions. This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue. An application for curricular concessions was received in my Department from the VEC concerned. This application is receiving attention at present and the VEC will be notified of the outcome in due course.

The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which VECs can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The CEO of a VEC can submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was established specifically to adjudicate on appeals on staffing allocations in post-primary schools. This Board operates independently of my Department. Discrete allocations are also made to VEC schools to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs and those with Language difficulties for example.