Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Haddington Road (Dublin) School.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

228 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education the circumstances under which St. Brigid's primary school, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, will lose a teacher in September 1996, which means that the class sizes will be bigger and the children in second class will be divided and taking lessons alongside first and third classes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school is designated disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14324/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The staffing of a national school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year.

The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy on 30 September 1995 was 254 pupils. This enrolment warrants a staffing of a principal and eight assistants for the 1996-97 school year. Accordingly, the ninth assistant's post at the school will be suppressed at the end of the current school year.

In addition to the staffing position outlined above, the school in question has a concessionary post on account of its disadvantaged status. A maximum class size guideline of 29 applies to schools designated as disadvantaged. If the enrolment at the school in September 1996 cannot be managed within this guideline, the board of management of the school should contact my Department in this regard.