Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
179 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider correspondence (details supplied) in relation to staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will accede to the appointment of additional teacher requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34230/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra340 Deputy Seán Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated an additional teacher in view of the increase in pupil numbers at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33686/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 340 together.
The number of mainstream class teachers appropriate to a school for the current school year is determined by reference to the school's valid enrolment on 30 September, 2009 in accordance with the staffing schedule (Primary Circular 0021/2010) which is available on my Department's website. The additional posts in the renewed Programme for Government enabled some improvement to be made to the staffing schedule. The schedule is a transparent and clear way of ensuring that schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand. Within the terms of the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.
It is also open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule (Primary Circular 0021/2010).
