Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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470. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter regarding island status in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8793/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy is located on Valentia Island which is situated on the west coast of the country. The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually 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 previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the 2015/2016 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the Department website. These arrangements include detail of the reduced enrolment thresholds that apply to island schools for the retention of a teaching post where the school is the only primary school remaining on the island. Such schools are located on islands which are situated off the coast of the country.