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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 5

Written Answers. - Staffing of National Schools.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education whether guidelines on maximum class sizes are being or are likely to be breached in the case of St. Killian's senior national school, Castleview, Kingswood, Dublin 24, in view of current enrolments and projections as and from September 1994; if she intends to ensure that staffing levels are maintained after September 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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 St. Killian's senior national school there were 463 pupils enrolled on 30 September 1993, which warrants a staff of principal plus 14 assistants for the 1994-95 school year. The school will also have the services of a fulltime remedial teacher.

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.
The maximum class size guidelines which will apply in September, 1994, are: 37 (in the case of a single-grade class-group); 36 (in the case of a class-group with two consecutive grades); 33 (in the case of a multi-grade class-group).
The school authorities are projecting an enrolment of 489 for September 1994. However it would appear that the school will not be in breach of the guidelines referred to previously. If the school authorities feel that the school may qualify on the basis of maximum class sizes in September 1994, my Department will be happy to examine the position on receipt of enrolment details at that time.
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