Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) in relation to the possible loss of a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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. 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 enrolment returns submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy for 30 September 2015 was 81. An enrolment of 82 was required to retain the fourth teaching post in the school.

The staffing circular 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 appeal to the May 2016 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school requires an enrolment of 82 on 30 September 2016 in order to retain the fourth teaching post. In its appeal, the school projected an enrolment of 80 for 30 September 2016. As a result, the school has been informed that its appeal does not meet the criteria set out in Circular 0007/2016.

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