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.
Gaelscoil Uí Cheithearnaigh had an enrolment of 176 pupils on 30 September 2001 which entitled the school to a staffing of principal and seven mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year.
The school had 180 pupils on 30 September 2002 which allows for a staffing of a principal and seven mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. The agreed appointment figure for eighth mainstream class teacher is 193 pupils.
The school also has a shared learning support teacher, a resource teacher and in the 2002-03 school year had a temporary post to assist with space difficulties at the school.
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.
The large-scale building project for Gaelscoil Uí Cheithearnaigh is listed in section 6 of the 2003 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This project is at stage 4/5 of architectural planning (detailed design/contract documents). It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
Projects listed in sections 6 and 7 will not be authorised to progress beyond their current stage of architectural planning at this time.