Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 5

Written Answers - School Staffing.

Joe Jacob

Question:

168 Mr. Jacob asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the staffing situation of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow which is due to lose a teacher in May 1997 and where a second teacher is due to retire in June 1998; if officials from her Department will contact the chairman of the board of management of the school as indicated in her letter of 6 February 1997 and explore the options available in this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7535/97]

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 1996 was 81 pupils.

While final decisions have not been made regarding staffing allocations for primary schools for the 1997-98 school year, it is likely that a post will be suppressed at the school to which the Deputy refers in June 1997 because of declining enrolment at the school.

Officials of my Department have been in contact with the chairperson of the board of management of the school on this matter. However, the Deputy will appreciate that my officials are not at liberty to discuss the retirement plans of an individual teacher without the prior consent of the teacher. To date, there does not appear to have been any direct contact between the teacher in question and my officials.