Vol. 572 No. 6
227 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a teacher who was employed in a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath had their appointment withdrawn within two weeks due to the failure of his Department to provide the necessary funding for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24126/03]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners. There is provision in the agreed staffing arrangements for schools, which are classified as "developing schools", to be granted additional teachers on a provisional basis. The requirements for the allocation of such posts are outlined in primary circular 9/03, a copy of which issued to the board of management of each school.
The enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy was 336 pupils on 30 September 2002. This enrolment entitles the school to a staffing of a principal and 12 mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. The enrolment required on 30 September 2003 for the purpose of the allocation of an additional post as a "developing school" was 366. The board of management had projected that this enrolment figure would be achieved and, on this basis, provisional sanction for the thirteenth mainstream class teacher was given in a letter to the board of management dated 12 May 2003.
According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment in the school concerned on 30 September 2003 was 354 pupils. As the required enrolment figure of 366 was not achieved, the school is not entitled to the post which was sanctioned provisionally in May. Accordingly, sanction for the post has been withdrawn.
To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing as outlined in Department circular 19/02. The board of management has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at its next meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 22 October 2003, and the board of management will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
