Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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678. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to retain an English-as-an-additional language post in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5707/16]

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 staffing arrangements, including the staffing appeal process, for the coming school year 2016/17 are set out in Circular 0007/2016 which is available on the website.

The staffing appeal process at primary level includes the provision whereby schools with a high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for temporary language support posts.

The first meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board was held in March. The Department did not receive an appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The Appeals Board will meet again in May. The closing date for receipt of applications to that meeting is Wednesday 11th May.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to permit a mainstream teacher to continue in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5708/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2016/2017 school year is set out in Circular 0007/2016, 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 2015.

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 application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its meeting in March. The appeal was refused by the Appeals Board on the basis that the grounds of the appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional post under Circular 0007/2016.

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