I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 224 together.
The staffing of a national school is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year.
In the case of Scoil Ard Mhuire there were 500 pupils enrolled on 30 September 1991. This number warranted a staff of Principal plus 15 assistants for the 1992-93 school year. The school also has the services of a full-time remedial teacher, and an assistant in charge of a special class.
There were 454 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 1992, a drop of over 40 pupils compared with the preceding year. While the staffing arrangements for the 1993/94 school year have not yet been finalised, an enrolment of 454 would warrant a staff of Principal plus 14 assistants.
I am currently examining the scope for development of additional teaching resources to children with special educational needs. The question of remedial teaching posts will form a key element in this consideration. In this regard the Programme for a Partnership Government provides for the recruitment of 500 remedial teachers by September 1996.
My Department will be in touch with the school authorities regarding staffing as soon as the arrangements for 1993-94 have been finalised.