The selection and appointment of teaching staff in Community and Comprehensive schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management subject to the needs of the school, to Garda Vetting procedures and to the sanction and approval of the Minister for Education and Science. The Minister’s approval is subject to the requirements:
that the school is entitled to such an appointment within its teacher allocation.
that the proposed appointee meets the requirements for registration laid down by the Teaching Council.
that the proposed appointee holds the qualifications prescribed by the Department of Education and Science for such appointment.(See 3.1.18 below).
that the DES prescribed procedures have been followed in making the appointment.
3.2.1) Schedule of Teaching Posts
An initial allocation of Teaching Posts for the following school year is issued in January/February of each year by the Department of Education and Science.
This allocation is calculated in accordance with the school’s recognised pupil enrolment on approved courses on 30th September of the previous year. The allocation will include:
- Posts based on the Pupil Teacher Ratio currently in force.
- Additional Ex-Quota Posts
- Principal
- Deputy Principal(s)
- Guidance Counsellor(s)
- Chaplain
- Learning Support
- DEIS allocation
- Other
The specific criteria on which the approved allocations are based from time to time will accompany the schedule.
3.2.2) Teaching resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs.
The provision of teaching resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs is the responsibility of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). These resources will include the allocation of Resource Teachers and, in particular cases, Special Needs Assistants. The most recent information and guidelines for second level schools for processing applications for these resources may be accessed on the NCSE website at http://www.ncse.ie/guidelines.html) It is expected that these guidelines will evolve and be similarly available for consultation during the coming years.
A Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) is designated for each school, who is authorised to process applications for these resources and to allocate Resource Teachers and Special Needs Assistants on behalf of the Council in accordance with the guidelines.
Boards of Management are authorised to make appointments as allocated by the SENO, unless the existing school staff is in excess of its approved allocation. In such circumstances the approval of the DES is required before engaging any additional teaching resources sanctioned by the Council.
3.2.3) Increased Staffing Applications and Appeals.
Requests for increases in the teacher allocation may be made to the Department of Education and Science in accordance with procedures laid down in the documentation accompanying the allocation.
These additional applications may cover areas such as:
Curricular concessions.
Projected increase in enrolment.
Provision for international students.
Provision for students from the travelling community.
Schools may appeal against decisions of the Department of Education and Science regarding initial or additional allocations to an independent appeals committee. Details of this appeal mechanism are contained in documentation accompanying the initial allocation.