Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31491/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Department of Education and Skills Circular 0007/2016 sets out the criteria for the allocation of teaching posts to primary schools for the 2016/2017 school year.   The circular includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September, in this case September 2016.

The school referred to by the Deputy was approved for 1 permanent developing school post, subject to achieving projected enrolments on 30th September 2016. Actual pupil numbers on that date did not meet the required enrolment and so the school were informed that the post was to be suppressed on 28th October 2016.

The school submitted an appeal to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board to retain the post for the school year on the basis of exceptional accommodation difficulties. The Appeals Board has upheld the appeal and sanctioned the post for the remainder of the school year.

The school has been notified of this decision.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has developed a contingency plan whereby parents of school children affected by the ASTI union ban on substitution and supervision will be asked to volunteer to provide cover; the details of the plan; and if these parents will be required to undergo Garda vetting. [31511/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the school management bodies have agreed contingency arrangements which involve the recruitment of external supervisors and which are intended to support any schools that may be in a position to remain open during the period when ASTI teachers withdraw from S&S duties. The employment of external supervisors may enable some schools to remain open but would present significant logistical and practical difficulties.

ASTI's co-operation with the contingency arrangements are required if they are to operate effectively. Prior to the ballot results, my Department formally communicated its co-operation requirements to ASTI and asked that these be considered. However, ASTI is refusing to cooperate with the contingency plans. Firstly, ASTI rejected my request to provide an exemption for principals who are members of ASTI to allow them to co-operate with the contingency arrangements. The co-operation of school principals is crucial to any contingency arrangements. Secondly, ASTI rejected my request to provide sufficient notice to allow schools to recruit supervisors by providing only three weeks from the announcement of the ballot results until the date that ASTI teachers withdraw from S&S duties.

The contingency plan involves schools recruiting external personnel to supervise pupils on the school premises, in classrooms and the school yard. Payment will be a minimum of €38.36 per day (based on two hours supervision minimum). Any further supervision above these two hours will be paid at a rate of €19.18 per additional hour. Applicants being considered for appointment will be subject to vetting by the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána.

Advertisement for the recruitment of supervisors began last week. However, given the refusal to cooperate with the contingency arrangements on ASTI's part, widespread school closure is expected from 7 November onwards.