Vol. 566 No. 2
129 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious effects which the loss of a teaching position at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork will impose on certain pupils in the school; and if he will consider the matter with a view to maintaining the existing teachers. [12581/03]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
The enrolment of the school in question has decreased from 86 pupils on 30 September 2001 to 79 pupils on 30 September 2002. This latter enrolment will entitle the school to a staffing of a principal and two mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. The school also has one resource post and one shared learning support post. As the agreed appointment figure for the third mainstream class teacher is 82 pupils, there is no basis on which my Department may sanction an additional teaching post to the school in question.
An independent appeals board was established to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on mainstream staffing teacher allocations in primary schools. The appeals board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final. A circular outlining these new procedures issued to all primary schools.
The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2003-04 school year was considered by the appeals board on 9 April 2003. I understand that the board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board on 10 April 2003.
