Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal with the Primary Staffing Appeals Board in respect of a school (details supplied) which is requesting the retention of its third mainstream classroom teacher in September 2019 due to extenuating circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20206/19]

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) retains its third mainstream classroom teacher in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20211/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, 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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.

The Small Schools appeal criterion allows schools with 4 teachers or less to appeal on the basis of projected enrolment for the coming September. In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, a projected enrolment of 51 for September 2019 is required to fulfil the appeal criteria.The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board but as the school projects an enrolment less than 51, the appeal was deemed ineligible.

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