Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
474. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is acceptable for the primary staffing appeals board to remove a teacher of a junior infants class of 37 students, including several with special needs, in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the actions the school can take to seek to have the teacher reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41384/15]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2015/2016 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0005/2015) which is available on the Department 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 30 September 2014.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board. The Appeals Board determined that the appeal did not satisfy all of the published criteria as set out in Circular 0005/2015.
The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
