asked the Minister for Education whether the teacher quota allocated to Kildare Vocational Education Committee enables that body to approve the required number of teachers to Maynooth post-primary school; if she will accept that due to the shortage of staff at the school and to increased numbers of students this school is being unfairly treated, having regard to staffing levels in other schools in the country; if she will ensure an early improvement in staffing levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Kildare VEC Teacher Allocation.
384.
The allocations of teaching staff in the second level VEC sector are made by my Department on a Committee-wide basis and not in respect of individual schools.
Since 19 May 1989 when my Department notified the County Kildare VEC of its allocation of teaching staff in respect of the 1989/90 school session the committee's teacher allocation has been increased on appeal by 2.0 whole-time teacher equivalents.
In accordance with normal practice, the allocations of teaching staff to VECs, including County Kildare VEC, are at present being reviewed by my Department in the light of the end of September pupil enrolment returns. It is hoped to complete this review shortly.
The question of deployment of its teaching resources and the organisation of its educational programme are matters to be determined by the committee itself within the parameters of the authorised allocation.
I am satisfied that County Kildare VEC will have adequate teaching staff resources to meet the needs of its educational scheme for the current school session.