Brendan Howlin
Ceist:581 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will allocate an additional teaching post to Cushinstown national school, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16091/02]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is agreed for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment of Cushinstown national school on 30 September 2001 was 77 pupils which warrants a staffing of a teaching principal and two mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. As the agreed appointment figure for the third mainstream class teacher is 82 pupils, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction an additional post at Cushinstown national school for the 2002-03 school year.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department recently issued a circular to primary schools, (Circular 19/02), outlining information regarding the independent appeals board established to consider appeals on mainstream staffing in primary schools.
In future years all appeals on mainstream staffing in primary schools must be submitted to the independent appeals board by boards of management.
Question No. 582 answered with Question No. 531.