Vol. 569 No. 4
192 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if Scoil Uí Cheithearnaigh, Ballinasloe, County Galway, will be allowed retain a temporary teacher and classroom given that more children will attend the school in September 2003 than in September 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18030/03]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
The school in question had an enrolment of 180 pupils on 30 September 2002, which entitles the school to a staffing of a principal and seven mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. The agreed appointment figure for the eighth mainstream class teacher is 193 pupils.
An independent appeals board was established to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. The appeals board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final. A circular outlining these new procedures issued to all primary schools.
The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2003-04 school year was considered by the appeals board and I understand that the board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board in April 2003.
