Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) has not been granted an additional teacher for next year in view of the fact that the number of students attending the school will increase dramatically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13087/14]

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. The staffing arrangements for the coming school year 2014/15 are set out in Circular 0007/2014 which is available on the website. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the February, 2014 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Having considered the school's application in the context of the published grounds, the Board deemed the application ineligible. The school was notified accordingly. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.