Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing System.

Paul McGrath

Question:

199 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that since many itinerant primary schoolchildren do not return after the summer holidays until after 30 September each year, they cannot be included for teacher retention numbers; and the proposals, if any, she has to alter the present unfair system to a date in late October or November.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

An agreement was reached in 1988 between my Department, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, and the managerial authorities, which amended the Rules for National Schools so that, henceforth, the staffing for the school year will be based on the total number of pupils validly enrolled in the school on 30 September of the previous school year.

My Department recognised that the adoption of a fixed date system for determination of staffing might cause difficulties for some schools. Criteria were established to allow for the appointment of additional teachers over and above that warranted by 30 September enrolment, in schools who could be designated as developing or where my Department's guidelines on maximum class sizes are being breached. These arrangements have operated satisfactorily since 1988 and I have no plans to alter them.