School Staff Appeals Mechanism

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2016

Thursday, 23 June 2016

Questions (132)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals to the staffing appeals boards that have been considered in the academic years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, in tabular form; the criteria under which they were either successful or unsuccessful; the number of schools that met with approval for additional teachers where they did not yet meet the criteria; the level under which they were below the set criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17814/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 Appeals Board. Circular 0007/2016 provides details of the criteria under which schools may submit an appeal.

The information requested by the Deputy on the number of schools which were successful in their appeals is set out in the following table.

Primary Staffing Appeals Board

School Year	No. of Appeals Received	No. of Appeals Upheld
2014/15	535	271
2015/16	497	284