Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
175. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the position regarding a school that had 85 pupils on its roll last September and consequently lost a class teacher because the school was one pupil short of the 86 needed for next September; the number of small schools country-wide that are in a similar position losing a teacher as they are one pupil short; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19142/14]
View answerThere were 5 primary schools which had an enrolment of 85 pupils on 30 September 2013. 3 of these schools submitted appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board to retain their existing staffing level for the 2014/15 school year on the basis of a projected enrolment of at least 86 pupils in September 2014. Each of these appeals was provisionally upheld by the Appeals Board and the 3 schools will not therefore be losing a teaching post subject to confirmation of their actual enrolments in September 2014. In relation to the 2 remaining schools, one has submitted an appeal to the next meeting of the Appeals Board in June. If the other school is projecting an enrolment of at least 86 pupils for September 2014 then it may also submit an appeal to the Appeals Board.
