Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
807 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the situation in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare arising from the loss of a teacher; the action she intends to take to correct this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26602/06]
View answerThe staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which was issued to all primary schools.
Based on the enrolment on the 30th September 2005 submitted by the Board of Management of 420 pupils, the staffing of the school in question for the 2006/2007 school year will be a Principal and 15 Mainstream Class Teachers. To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent Appeal Board is now in place to decide on any staffing appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 0024/2006. The next meeting of the Board will be held in October, 2006. The closing date for receipt of appeals is the 18 October 2006. Appeals must be submitted to Primary Payments Section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The standard application form is available from Primary Payments Section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone or on my Department's website.
The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final. I am sure you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent Appeals Board.
