Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
229. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the EAL teacher is being removed from a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath when the school clearly needs this invaluable resource. [27236/13]
View answer282. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the EAL teacher is being removed from a school (details supplied) in County Westemath when the school clearly needs this invaluable resource, the school's Principal and Board of Management have appealed the decision to remove their EAL teacher, their appeal was refused on 3 April 2013 and have been informed there is no other action that can be taken. [27432/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 282 together.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the coming school year 2013/14 are set out in Circular 0013/2013 which is available on the website. The staffing appeal process at primary level includes the provision whereby schools with a high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for further additional temporary language support posts. The appeal criteria are set out in the staffing schedule, Circular 0013/2013. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under the EAL criterion. Having considered the school's application in the context of the published grounds, the Board refused the appeal at its meeting on 27th/28th March 2013. The school was notified accordingly. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
