Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be reduced for the 2017-2018 academic year; if his attention has been drawn to the implications of such a move for the school's ability to cater for the educational needs of children residing in the local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41506/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually 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 previous 30 September. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.

The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its April 2017 meeting under the small school criterion. The appeal was provisionally approved by the Appeals Board pending confirmation of the actual enrolments on the 30^thSeptember 2017. The school has been notified of the outcome of the appeal. Pettigo National School has until Wednesday 4^thOctober to submit their enrolment figures as part of this process.

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