Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 4

Written Answers. - Ballymun (Dublin) School.

Noel Ahern

Question:

189 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the negotiations her Department has been involved in to secure premises for Scoil Paipin Naofa, Ballymun, Dublin 11; the current position on the case; and if an extra teacher has been approved for September 1994.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Scoil Paipin Naofa is a new gaelscoil which opened on 1 September 1993 in temporary accommodation in the Setanta Sports Complex, Poppintree. The school was granted temporary recognition only as is usual with all new Gaelscoileanna. It is only after a number of years of satisfactory operation that permanent recognition would be considered and the question of permanent accommodation would then arise. In the meantime it is a matter for the school authorities to provide temporary accommodation for the school. I understand that the school authorities intend providing prefabricated accommodation on a site in the Santry area.

The staffing of all national schools is determined by the enrolment on 30 September of the previous year. In the case of Scoil Paipin Naofa there were 23 pupils enrolled on 30 September 1993 which warrants a staff of principal only for the 1994-95 school year.

The only exceptions that can be made from the agreed staffing arrangements is in the case of developing schools or where my Department's guidelines on maximum class sizes are being breached. The school might qualify for the appointment of an extra teacher in September 1994, as a developing school. No application however has been made to my Department for such an appointment to date. Any such application will receive due consideration by my Department.