Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the appeals process will begin for providing 200 teaching posts to those schools most seriously affected by the increase in the pupil teacher ratio as per the revised programme for Government; and the criteria being considered. [37102/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department proposes to structure a consultation process through meetings with the education partners in the coming weeks in accordance with the commitment to consultation as set out in the renewed Programme. In advance of such discussions it has written to the education partners to seek any observations or suggestions they may have in relation to the implementation of the commitment. This will assist my Department in identifying issues for discussion and to set a detailed agenda for the discussions.

In that regard the views of the education partners have been sought on: The division of posts between the primary and post-primary sectors The best way to identify those schools that are "most seriously affected by the recent increase in the PTR" and the criteria that might be applied in such identification? The desirability of implementing the commitment in a manner through an allocation process that keeps the administrative burden at a minimum for both schools and the Department

The education partners have been given until Thursday 29 October 2009 to forward their views to my Department. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the issues raised by the Deputy pending the outcome of the consultation process.