Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene to prevent the loss of a vital teacher in a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that current and projected enrolment figures show sufficient pupil numbers to retain the current teacher numbers; if his attention has been drawn to the negative impact the loss of a teacher would have on the school, on pupils, on pupil-teacher ratios, and on one on one teaching time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13270/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2014/2015 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0007/2014) which is available on the Department 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 30 September 2013. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The appeal criteria are published in Circular 0007/2014. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under Criterion B - Additional Enrolments in October 2013 to the February 2014 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal was refused by the board on the basis that the grounds of the appeal did not meet the published criteria. The school was notified accordingly.

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