Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the position of a small rural school (details supplied); if he will have regard to the fact that the school is experiencing increased enrolment; if he will consider the fact that the age of the building is such that existing classrooms cannot contain large numbers of students; if he will, therefore, allow the school to retain its three members of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28761/14]

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. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0007/2014.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board for the June meeting. The Appeals Board determined that the appeal did not satisfy all of the published criteria as set out in Circular 0007/2014. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.