Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015
206. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the merited appeal due to exceptional circumstances and the importance of the retention of a teacher in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26787/15]
View answerThe 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 process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Circular 0005/2015 provides details for schools wishing to make an appeal.
My Department has not received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The next meeting of the Appeals Board will take place in October, 2015. The application form for staffing appeals is contained in Circular 0005/2015. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final.
