Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

312 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Holy Child primary school, Larkhill, Dublin 9, has lost three teachers in the past year and that classes from first to sixth class are doubling up; the measures he proposes to take to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year 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. 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. These new procedures were set out in circular 19/02, which 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 in April 2003. The board, having considered the appeal in accordance with the criteria set out in circular 19/02, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case. The board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board in April. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.