Vol. 441 No. 1
202 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the factors arising at Our Lady of Lourdes national school, Goldenbridge, Inchicore, Dublin 8 and in the circumstances, and notwithstanding falling school numbers if she will approve the retention of the present staffing levels for the school year 1994-1995.
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 Our Lady of Lourdes national school there were 387 pupils enrolled on 30 September 1992, which warrants a staff of principal plus 12 assistants for the 1993-94 school year. The school also has the services of two full-time remedial teachers and two concessionary teachers under the special scheme of teaching assistance for schools serving designated areas of disadvantage.
There were 348 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 1993, which warrants a staff of principal plus 11 assistants for the 1994-95 school year. The school would have needed an enrolment of at least 367 pupils in order to retain the post of 12th assistant in 1994-95.
The only exceptions that can be made from the agreed staffing arrangements are in the case of developing schools or where my Department's guidelines on maximum class sizes are being breached. If the school authorities feel that the school may qualify under either of these exceptions, my Department will be happy to examine the position on receipt of projected enrolment details.
