asked the Minister for Education (i) the number of secondary schools in County Kerry; (ii) the number of students attending these schools; (iii) the number of schools with career guidance teachers; (iv) the number of schools with over 500 pupils; and if she will make a statement in regard to the future employment of career guidance and remedial teachers in County Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Secondary Schools.
20.
The figures requested are as follows: (i) 22 secondary schools; (ii) 6,703 students; (iii) 13 schools with career guidance teachers, including two schools which share a guidance teacher between them; (iv) four schools with over 500 pupils.
The question of the employment of guidance and remedial teachers is one for the school authorities subject to compliance with the relevant official regulations.
As I said in reply to the previous question in the current school year 1982-83, a guidance teacher employed in a school with less than 250 pupils is eligible to receive incremental salary only if he is within the authorised quota of the school. In the case of a school of 250 or more pupils, the teacher may receive incremental salary on an ex-quota basis.
As from 1 August 1983, the payment of incremental salary to teachers on the basis of being within the quota or ex-quota will be related to a figure of 500 instead of 250. Adjustments in existing school staffing will arise in this connection, however, only according as vacancies occur in the schools.