Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork will remain a four teacher school for the 2018-2019 school year; if an appeal mechanism is open to the school in the event that it does not meet the minimum number of 81 pupils on 30 September 2018 for the retention of four teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39199/18]

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 March 2018 meeting under the small school criterion. The appeal was provisionally approved by the Appeals Board pending confirmation of the actual enrolments on the 30th September 2018. If the school fails to achieve the required enrolment of 81 pupils on 30th September the post will be suppressed with effect from 26th October 2018.

The Primary Staffing Appeals Board will meet in mid-October to consider appeals for the 2018/19 school year. Application forms are available in Circular 0010/2018, published on the Department of Education website. The closing date for receipt of appeals for this meeting is 8th October 2018.

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