The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule which is issued annually to all primary schools. Under current arrangements the enrolment figure required for the appointment of a mainstream class teacher in a Gaeltacht school is the same as that which applies in the case of an ordinary primary school. However the figure required for the retention of a mainstream class teacher in a Gaeltacht school is lower in the case of posts up to and including the 12th mainstream teacher, relative to ordinary primary schools.
I am aware of the unique position of primary schools situated in Gaeltacht areas and of the particular problems that they experience as a result of losing teaching posts. This retention policy has applied to Gaeltacht schools since the 1999-2000 school year. Officials in my Department are preparing the revised staffing schedule for the 2006-07 school year and this will be issued to the boards of management of all primary schools shortly.