Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

854. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the suppressed teaching post at a school (details supplied) could be retained until the end of the school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59648/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

The school referred to by the Deputy was provisionally sanctioned a development post based on the projected enrolment figure submitted.

Upon approval of the provisionally allocated developing post based on projected enrolment, the school was informed that the position could be filled for September and October. However, if the required enrolment was not achieved, the post would be withdrawn at the end of October.

The school did not meet the required enrolment on 30 September to retain the post. The school sent in an appeal which was considered at the October Appeals Board meeting. That appeal has been unsuccessful and the school has been notified of the outcome of the appeal. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.