Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

366 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the current position regarding the application by Gort Móir national school (details supplied) in County Galway for the appointment of a second teacher for this school in the Gaeltacht area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 Goirt Móir national school on 30 September 1996 was 14 pupils. This enrolment warrants a staffing of a principal only for the current school year, similar to the staffing level at the school for the 1996-97 school year.

The Deputy will be aware that An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in allocating resources. In this context, the programme specifically states that one teacher schools with ten or more pupils will receive a second teacher.

Currently, there are 103 one teacher primary schools with ten or more pupils in the country.

The school mentioned by the Deputy is included in this number.

Since there are no teaching posts available to me from the 1997-98 demographic dividend for allocation to these schools, I am currently examining a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitments to one teacher schools.