Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6988/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the 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. Staffing arrangements at primary level for the 2014/15 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2014 which is now available on the Department website. The staffing process also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The appeals criteria include the provision whereby schools with high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for additional temporary language support posts. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in Circular 0007/2014.

The Appeals Board meets three times per year. The next meeting of the Appeals Board will be held later in February 2014. An appeal application has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy and this will be considered by the Appeals Board at the February meeting. The school will be notified of the decision of the Appeal Board after that date. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.