Vol. 553 No. 6
89 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed new independent appeals procedure for the allocation of secondary teachers; when the new procedure will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14734/02]
An independent appeals forum is being established to consider teacher allocation appeals by second level school authorities. This initiative is in accordance with both the recommendations of the recent report of the expert group on the allocation of teachers to second level schools and the report by Mr. Sean Cromien into the operations of my Department. The appeals forum will consider appeals from school management authorities for additional teaching resources where particular problems arise for schools in meeting essential curricular commitments within their normal staffing provision. It is planned that the new forum will consider appeals with effect from the 2003-04 school year staffing allocations.
Detailed arrangements for the operation of the appeal system are currently being developed by my Department. All second level school authorities will be advised about them.
Mr. Jim Lyons, the recently retired chief executive officer of the County Clare Vocational Education Committee, has been appointed as chairman of the appeals forum.
