John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case being made by a school (details supplied) in County Carlow to retain its current number of teachers, in view of the increased number of students expected over the next three years; if she will make an early and positive decision regarding the matter, as the local community is deeply concerned; the Government policy on such matters relative to the case being made to support rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21207/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, 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 2015/16 are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the website. An appeals process is also available to schools. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Having considered the 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.

I recognise that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities and will continue to be so. It is for that reason that I recently announced that a voluntary protocol for amalgamation is being developed for the very smallest schools. The protocol is still under development. Under the protocol, it is envisaged that the Department will write to the patrons of all such schools that are located within an 8km distance of another school of similar patronage and language of instruction. The letter will invite them to reflect on the benefits that amalgamation opportunities might provide in order to create more sustainable school communities into the future. Engagement with the protocol will be entirely voluntary.

The Deputy will also be aware of the improvement in the staffing levels for small schools contained in my Department's Circular 0005/2015, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie. These improvements particularly recognise the challenges faced by very small schools that are more than 8km from the next nearest school of the same type.