Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
545 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the number of concessionary hours awarded to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to ensure that it will have enough hours to provide physical education, art and French classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20543/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all second-level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the Board of Management of the school.
In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions. This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue. An application for curricular concessions was received from the school in question and an additional allocation of 1.27 wholetime equivalent teacher posts was granted.
The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against their allocation of teachers. The school in question has availed of this appeals mechanism and will be notified of the outcome shortly. The Appeals Board operates independently of my Department.
