School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Ceisteanna (461)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

461. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the very merited appeal, due to exceptional circumstances, and the importance of the retention of two teachers in respect of a school (details supplied) which caters for children with mild and moderate autism in the Tralee, Killarney and greater mid-County Kerry area, as the projected enrolment for future years is increasing and it is a marginal situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26928/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Having considered the application in the context of the published grounds, the Board deemed the application ineligible. The school was notified accordingly. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.