Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
957. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse a decision to suppress a temporary EAL post in a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37752/15]
View answer958. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a temporary EAL post in a school (details supplied) in County Waterford has had suppressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37753/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 957 and 958 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 process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The staffing arrangements and appeals process for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is on the Department's 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 additional temporary language support posts. These EAL allocations are made on the basis of appeals by schools to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, using projected enrolment for the following September.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal under the EAL criterion to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Board upheld the appeal subject to the school achieving its projected enrolments on 30 September 2015.
As the projected enrolment was subsequently not achieved, the temporary EAL post was withdrawn. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
