The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2020/21 school year, as set out in Circular 0018/2020, which is available on the Department website, provides details on the staffing appeal process. Where at least 20% of the total enrolment of the school is made up of pupils that require EAL support (pupils with less than B1 Level 3 proficiency), the Board of Management may lodge an appeal for a review of the proposed allocation for pupils requiring EAL support.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for additional EAL support which was refused by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Following that decision, the school provided the Board with updated information on the number of pupils requiring EAL support and the application has been provisionally upheld, pending confirmation of enrolments in September.