asked the Minister for Education the provision she proposes to make to ensure that a proper level of teaching is maintained at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the number of other schools in the country which are in a position similar to this one; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School.
49.
The staffing of national schools generally is regulated by the requirements of the rules. The staffing of the school in question will be reviewed at an early date. In any event the present staff may be continued at least until the end of the current school year. An examination of other schools to establish comparability would not be justified, having regard to the amount of official time involved. That would be the comparable element of the question which the Deputy asked.
I am very glad to hear that the staffing in this school and hopefully in this category of schools will be retained until the end of the year. This is my first question. In the light of the recently announced decision to suspend or withdraw Circular 20/87 has the Minister communicated to this school, and to other schools, her decision in relation to that circular? If so, in what manner has she communicated her decision? Has it been conveyed to schools by way of an official circular carrying with it the stamp of the Department of Education, or has the news been brought to different schools by way of personal letter from the local Fianna Fáil TD who happens to be in that constituency? Perhaps the Minister would answer that part of my question first.
Of course I would not be responsible for every individual Fianna Fáil Deputy, or whatever he or she decided to do with any information they had. That would give me huge powers which I do not wish to have.
Regarding the Deputy's question, officially each school will be notified — not just this school — but other schools which fall to be effected by the implementation of Circular 20/87 will in due course be informed by my Department.
A brief supplementary please, Deputy.
When will they be notified?
They will be notified within the next few days.
Will the delay give time for Fianna Fáil people to be the bearers of the good news in advance?
If the Deputy was a member of our Party perhaps she would be the conveyor of the good news.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Quill, please allow me to deal with the last remaining Priority Question.
With your kind permission I said I had a second supplementary question.
I want very much to assist the Deputy and help her to elicit information but I also want to dispose of questions here and I have very little time left.