Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Nov 1994

Vol. 447 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - County Kildare School Staffing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

31 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she has received a submission in respect of staffing from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the need to respond to the request therein; if she will review her recent decision to withdraw a post at the school; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the enrolment currently justifies this post; if her attention has further been drawn to the likely difficulties that would be created in the general staffing of the school in the event of failure to meet the needs as set out by the schools board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3638/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I received representations from the board of management in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy and a reply was issued to the chairperson of the board on 3 November 1994.

The position is that the staffing of a national school is determined by the enrolment on 30 September of the previous year. In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy there were 658 pupils enrolled on 30 September 1993 which warrants a staff of principal plus 20 assistants for the 1994-95 school year. The school also has service of a full-time 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 school authorities applied to my Department in May 1994 to appoint a 21st assistant on the basis that its projected enrolment of 698 pupils for September 1994, met the criteria laid down for designation as a developing school. My Department sanctioned this additional post on a provisional basis, subject to the condition that a minimum enrolment of 688 be achieved in September 1994, this was the enrolment required under the criteria for designation as a developing school. The enrolment in the school in September 1994 was 684, which is four pupils short of that laid down in my Department's letter of sanction.

A strict policy is operated in relation to teaching posts sanctioned on a provisional basis. Such posts are withdrawn if the conditions specified by my Department are not met. The post was withdrawn with effect from 11 October 1994. I am happy that it is possible to accommodate the total enrolment in the school within the warranted staffing.