asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take in relation to the unsatisfactory situation at present obtaining in St. Anne's primary school, Milltown, Dublin 6, where all classes from infants to fifth class are double-grade or dual classes with 35 to 39 children in each class; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the event of numbers decreasing, the school could be forced to triple classes with extremely serious consequences for both teachers and pupils.
Written Answers. - Milltown (Dublin) School Staffing.
222.
The staffing of national schools is determined by the enrolment in the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with the agreement reached between the Government and the INTO under the Programme for National Recovery.
In the case of St. Anne's Convent N.S. there were 228 pupils enrolled on the 30 September 1988 which warrants a staff of principal plus six assistants for the current school year, 1989/90. The school also has the services of a full time remedial teacher, two special class teachers and five special class teachers for intinerant children.
The only exceptions that can be made from the agreed staffing arrangements for national schools are in the case of developing schools or where a school would be in breach of the guidelines on maximum class sizes laid down by my Department. St. Anne's does not qualify under either exception, therefore the appointment of an additional assistant is not warranted.
The staffing of the school for the 1990-91 school year will be determined by the enrolment in the school on the 30 September 1989. A new staffing schedule will come into effect on 1 September 1990 which will improve to pupil/teacher ratio in the school from that date.