John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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705. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine urgently and allow an appeal for current staffing levels to be retained at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, given the school's enrolment numbers are at the level required to maintain its six class teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6834/16]

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 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 process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Circular 0007/2016 provides details for schools wishing to make an appeal.

The Primary Staffing Appeals Board meets three times per year, in March, May and October. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to be considered at the May meeting. The school will be notified of the Appeals Board's decision by the end of May.

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