Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 628: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider restoring the posts of two support teachers at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30840/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level for the coming school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of these pupils' language proficiency. This is done through an annual application process in the Spring/Summer of each year.

Under present arrangements which are set out in Department Circular 0015/2009 a school can be allocated up to 4 language support teachers. Additional support is also available for those schools which have at least 25% of their total enrolment made up of pupils that require language support. Such applications for additional language support are dealt with through the Staffing Appeals process.

It is open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0021/2010 and Circular 0015/2009 - Meeting the needs of pupils learning English as an Additional Language. Both circulars are available on the Department's website. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.