Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher in a temporary capacity maybe granted to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35563/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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 is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be affected by changes in their enrolment, the impact of budget measures and the reforms to the teacher allocation process. As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012 and is available on my Department's website. The staffing circular also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are also contained in the staffing circular 0007/2012.

The school referred to by the Deputy appealed their allocation of mainstream teaching posts for the 2012-2013 school year. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board considered the case at its meeting on 18th and 19th April 2012 and refused the appeal. The Board of Management of the school has been notified accordingly.

The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.