School staff appeal mechanism to be put in place

Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen told the Offaly Independent he has gotten agreement from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to put in place an appeals mechanism to identify schools that would otherwise be unnecessarily affected by changes in staffing levels in schools with up to four teachers. Deputy Cowen said he has now written to all rural schools throughout Offaly to ascertain existing and projected enrolment numbers in the short to medium term. Staffing levels in two, three and four teachers schools were changed in last December's budget, and now many small rural schools are facing the prospect of losing a teacher. Deputy Cowen said he raised the issue with Education Minister Ruairi Quinn last Thursday week and following persistant questioning he agreed to put in place an appeals mechanism.