In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment at the 30 September of each year. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes.
The recruitment, selection and appointment of teachers to all schools is a matter for each individual school authority as employer. Unlike other areas of the public service teaching vacancies continue to be filled in schools in the normal manner.