Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2019
95. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when approval will be granted for the appointment of an extra teacher at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/19]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually 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 previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The Small Schools appeal criterion allows schools with 4 teachers or less to appeal on the basis of projected enrolment for the coming September. In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, a projected enrolment of 84 for September 2019 is required to fulfil the appeal criteria. Details of the appeal process and application form are available in Circular 0019/2019, "Staffing Arrangements in Primary Schools for the 2019/20 School Year", which is published on the Department website. The next meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board will be held in June and the closing date for the submission of applications will be published on the Department website shortly.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
