Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by the Department of Education and Science in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments, the Department of Education and Science will consider applications for additional short-term support, that is, curricular concessions. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities which wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.
The school in question applied for a curricular concession allocation and was allocated one whole-time equivalent teaching post. The Department of Education and Science notified the school of this allocation on 14 April 2005 and advised that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing to the independent appeals committee. The school did not avail of the appeals mechanism.