Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs teachers that will be employed by her Department at schools for the 2010-2011 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28685/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary teaching posts that will serve primary schools for the 2010-2011 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28686/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment at 30 September. The final position for any one school will depend on a number of other factors such as the allocation of support teachers, additional posts for schools that are developing rapidly and posts allocated as a result of the appeals processes. The allocation process for 2010/11 school year is well underway. However, the final staffing position for all schools will not be known until October/November. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and any appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.

The current number of teaching posts at primary level is 31,860. The number of teaching posts is expected to increase for the 2010/11 school year due to the projected increase in the number of pupils at primary level and the continued growth in provision for children with special educational needs in schools.