The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The actual number of mainstream teaching posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular school year following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment of St. Ciaran's national school on 30 September 2001 was 71 pupils, which warranted a staffing of principal and two mainstream class teachers for the current school year. The enrolment on 30 September 2002 was 74 pupils, which warrants a staffing of principal and two mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. As the agreed appointment figure for a third mainstream class teacher is 82 pupils, there is no basis on which my Department may sanction an additional teaching post in St. Ciaran's national school.