The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule, which is drawn up annually following discussions involving the managerial authorities and the INTO.
The enrolment of the school in question on 30 September 1999 was 508 pupils. The number of pupils required to retain the 18 mainstream class teacher for the 2000-01 school year is 510.
Accordingly, the school will lose the 18 mainstream class teacher at the end of the current school year. If the school authorities are confident that the enrolment of the school on 30 September 2000 will exceed 538 pupils they may apply to the primary payments branch of my Department for the allocation of a post under the "developing school" criteria.
The criteria for granting "developing school" status are outlined in circular 15/99 which my Department issued to the boards of management of all schools last year.