Andrew Boylan
Question:52 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the serious situation which currently exists in St. Michael's junior school, Cootehill, County Cavan (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Cootehill (Cavan) School.
William Cotter
Question:121 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the appointment of a temporary assistant at St. Michael's national school, Cootehill, County Cavan considering that the current enrolment of 169 pupils is more than the requirement for an additional permanent post; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 121 together.
The staffing of national schools for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September, of the previous year. The enrolment in St. Michael's, Cootehill on 30 September 1991 was 157 which warrants a staffing of Principal and four assistants for 1992/93.
The only departure from this arrangement is in the case of the maximum class size guidelines set down by my Department being breached. The distribution of classes in the current year may be organised among the present teaching staff so that no class is in breach of the maximum class size guidelines.