Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurance that an essential staff member who is retiring from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be replaced for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26601/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Teacher allocations to all second-level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school 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 Board of Management of the school.

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. The school in question has availed of the curricular concession process in respect of the retirement of a science teacher and has been notified of the outcome.