Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teaching Appointments.

Paul McGrath

Question:

133 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the appointment and retention figures for teachers in primary schools; the improvements, if any, she intends to introduce for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The appointment and retention figures currently in operation are set out as follows with the changes proposed for the school year 1994-95 in brackets.

Post	Appointment	Retention
1st Assistant	29	(29)	26	(25)
2nd Assistant	63	(63)	60	(59)
3rd Assistant	97	(97)	94	(92)
4th Assistant	131	(127)	131	(127)
5th Assistant	165	(162)	165	(162)
6th Assistant	198	(195)	198	(195)
7th Assistant	229	(227)	229	(227)
8th Assistant	259	(256)	259	(256)
9th Assistant	273	(268)	273	(268)
10th Assistant	306	(302)	306	(302)
11th Assistant	339	(334)	339	(334)
12th Assistant	372	(367)	372	(367)
13th Assistant	405	(400)	405	(400)
14th Assistant	438	(433)	438	(433)
15th Assistant	471	(466)	471	(466)
16th Assistant	504	(499)	504	(499)

For 17th assistant and upwards, add an additional 33 (32) units of enrolment.

The new staffing schedule will result in the retention of approximately 150 teaching posts which would otherwise have been lost. In addition to these posts, I propose to allocate surplus teaching posts in the following areas:

Remedial Posts	100
Home/School Liaison	15
Pupil/teacher ratio in special schools	80
Reduction in maximum class size guidelines	35
Inclusion of special class enrolment in determining quota staffing	40