Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the reduction in staff numbers at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35156/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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 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.

On the basis of projected enrolment, the school referred to by the Deputy was allocated 2 developing posts on a provisional basis.  The school’s actual enrolment in September was sufficient to retain 1 of these developing posts. 

The staffing arrangements also include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school submitted an application to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. 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 Board of Management of the school has been notified in this regard.  The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.